Making success out of failures : A quantitative research in Failure culture and Quality improvement

Abstract: Companies can draw valuable lessons from their failures, and use them for their improvementwork. A positive failure culture is however a necessary precondition. High reliabilityorganisations (HRO) are known for their effective way of tackling and using failures aspotential for improvements. The aims of the study were to evaluate failure culture in an ISO9001 certified company, after HRO standards and thereby withdraw improvementpossibilities. The study was conducted through a deductive quantitative method using asurvey for data gathering. With approximately 30 percent response rate, and using statisticaltests, the failure culture of the company was evaluated. The results showed that the companyis not currently reaching a failure culture within HRO standards, but nevertheless has positivetendencies rather than negative. Lastly, improvement possibilities were discussed andsuggestions for further research were given.