Organizational measures for achieving loose coupling in high-risk systems: the importance of systematic rules management

High-risk organizations are faced with the problem of having to achieve a delicate balance between centralization and decentralization. The concept of loose coupling postulates that organizations can simultaneously ensure autonomy of actors and sufficient binding forces for all actors to use their autonomy in line with the organization´s objectives. Systematic rules management is suggested as an approach to achieving loose coupling. One conclusion put forth and supported by empirical evidence is that the level of action regulation targeted by rules should be considered very carefully. Especially rules at the level of decisions on the right course of action to be taken, termed process rules, should be used more in order to use human capabilities optimally for the improvement of system safety.