Extreme events such as accidents, crises and disasters occur in organizations of all types. Sometimes these hit the headlines, but they also occur regularly beyond the public gaze. What follows is normally an investigation in which 'lessons will be learned' and the event 'must never happen again'. These produce recommendations to limit the damage from a future event, or to prevent it altogether. In many cases, this doesn't happen, and the changes are not implemented. Why should this be the case?

Containing a unique collection of cross-sector and international case studies, this...