Improvement of the Risk Management in an Organization Hierarchized in the Context of Sustainability

Purpose: The goal of the research is to identify the critical variables for improvement of the risk management in an hierarchized organization in the context of the implementation of the sustainability concept. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted in 100 organizations organized and represented by the Prison Service in the area of expertise of the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Warsaw. The study was attended by officers of different levels of command and decision-making, who were serving or still are serving in prisons and pre-trial detention centers. The methods used are: document research method, diagnostic survey method, observation method, and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviews). Findings: As a result of the study it was specified that the main condition for improving risk management is to concentrate the organization on realizing economic, social and environmental goals and striving to increase efficiency in these three areas. Results of the study showed that the maturity level of the researched organizations in the area of risk management is insufficient, however has a growing tendency. It has been noted that the awareness level in the area of risk management and analysis is low even though the researched institutions are endangered by inside and outside threats. Practical Implications: Identified critical variables for improving risk management in the Penitentiary Service in the context of implementing the concept of sustainable development will contribute to improving internal security in penitentiary units. Identification of internal and external threats and the right approach to risk management is a key determinant of improving organization security. Originality/Value: Risk management is still an actual and important trend in research, because it contributes to improvement of effectiveness and realizing goals of the organization, increasing awareness in need of action, identification and proceeding with risk, identification of chances and threats in the organization, fulfilling legal requirements and improvement of voluntary reports. It is especially important to analyze this matter in the Penitentiary Service as an institution endangered by a whole variety of inside and outside threats