This paper by Daniel Katz was published in 1964 and, scarily still has some very relevant takeaways for today’s safety procedures in organisations. We delve into this research and discover the ideas that Katz initiated all those years ago. The problem is that an organization cannot promote one of these concepts without negatively affecting the other. So how are organizations meant to manage this?

We share some personal thoughts on whether or not the world of safety research has since found an answer to dealing with these two contradictory concepts.

Topics:

Introduction to the paper
Introduction to the Author Daniel Katz
The history of the safety research industry
Three basic behaviors required from employees in all organizations
People’s willingness to stay in an organization
Managing dependable role performance
Spontanious initiative
Favourable attitude
Creating this motivation in employees to follow rules
Cultivating innovative behaviour
How this paper remains relevant in current safety research
No answer to this question of balancing these two behaviours

Quotes:

Katz is really one of the founding fathers in the field of organizational psychology. - Dr. Drew

Rae

It’s not just that you’re physically getting people to stay but getting them to stay and still be willing to be productive. Dr. Drew Rae

“When we promote autonomy, we need to think about what that does to reliable role performance.” - Dr. Drew Rae

Complex situations, clearly need complex solutions. - Dr. David Provan

Resources:

Griffith University Safety Science Innovation Lab

The Safety of Work Podcast

Feedback@safetyofwork.com

Episode 2

The motivational basis of organizational behavior (Paper)

De forsvunne arbeiderne (2:2)

Forklart

Arbeidsroller og skjulte jobber i Polen og Belgia

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