Organizational Safety in Translation: Linguistic Time References and Safety in HROs

초록

This study examines how national temporal orientation differences, shaped by the strength of Future-Time Reference (FTR) in language, affect safety risks in High-Reliability Organizations (HROs). It suggests that weak-FTR languages, which foster long-term orientation, promote greater risk prevention, while strong-FTR languages, linked to short-term thinking, lead to prompt responses once safety concerns arise. An analysis of nuclear power plant safety events in 34 countries (1986-2017) shows that HROs in strong-FTR contexts are less effective at preventing safety deviations but more effective at mitigating them before escalation into accidents. The findings contribute to temporal orientation and organizational crisis management literatures by highlighting how linguistic structures shape safety behavior and outcomes.

키워드