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An essential stupidity-based review of the Deepwater Horizon disaster

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  • Sheppard, Jerry Paul
  • Young, Jesse

Abstract

Though more than a decade has passed, there are compelling reasons to revisit the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the most expensive nonnuclear industrial disaster in history. It serves as an exemplar of what organizations should not do. Recent tragedies in Nigeria and Florida also demonstrate how organizations might avoid the risk of being overtaken by readily predictable events. In this article, we look to advance research on risk mitigation and decision-making as we create a more succinct view of how managers create—and might prevent—inaptitude. To this end, we look at how the evolving concept of stupidity is defined in recent research and how it manifested in the critical case of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. We present five proposals for organizations looking to address and avoid potentially unwise decisions that may lead to the next disaster.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheppard, Jerry Paul & Young, Jesse, 2023. "An essential stupidity-based review of the Deepwater Horizon disaster," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 65-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:66:y:2023:i:1:p:65-73
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2022.02.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mats Alvesson & André Spicer, 2012. "A Stupidity-Based Theory of Organizations," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(7), pages 1194-1220, November.
    2. William Ocasio & Tomi Laamanen & Eero Vaara, 2018. "Communication and Attention Dynamics : an Attention-Based View of Strategic Change," Post-Print hal-02312047, HAL.
    3. William Ocasio & Tomi Laamanen & Eero Vaara, 2018. "Communication and attention dynamics: An attention‐based view of strategic change," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(1), pages 155-167, January.
    4. William Ocasio, 1997. "Towards An Attention‐Based View Of The Firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(S1), pages 187-206, July.
    5. Sheppard, Jerry Paul & Young, Jesse, 2020. "Addressing sustainable development goals for confronting climate change: Insights and summary solutions in the stress stupidity system," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 26(6), pages 929-951, November.
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