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| articles:how_diffusion_of_responsibility_destroys_quality [2020/06/19 11:30] – [How “Diffusion of Responsibility” Destroys Quality] rrandall | articles:how_diffusion_of_responsibility_destroys_quality [2022/03/15 22:12] (current) – [How “Diffusion of Responsibility” Destroys Quality] rrandall |
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| ====== How “Diffusion of Responsibility” Destroys Quality ====== | {{ :articles:the_others-finger_pointing.jpeg?direct&600 |}} |
| | ====== How “Diffusion of Responsibility” Hinders Quality ====== |
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| In the science of [[https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-psychology.html|social psychology]], there is a phenomenon called “[[https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-diffusion-of-responsibility-2795095|Diffusion of Responsibility]]”, whereby each person feels a decreased sense of responsibility when they’re part of a group. For example, in emergency situations, individuals feel less responsibility to respond or call for help if they know that there are others also watching the situation. They assume that someone else either has or will, take action. Causes range from psychological effects of anonymity to differences in views of self-esteem (e.g., thinking that someone else with more knowledge or experience will take action). | In the science of [[https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-psychology.html|social psychology]], there is a phenomenon called “[[https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-diffusion-of-responsibility-2795095|Diffusion of Responsibility]]”, whereby each person feels a decreased sense of responsibility when they’re part of a group. For example, in emergency situations, individuals feel less responsibility to respond or call for help if they know that there are others also watching the situation. They assume that someone else either has or will, take action. |
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| In many organizations, “Diffusion of Responsibility” has become an institutionalized practice used as a means to avoid accountability (if everyone is responsible, then no one is responsible). A quick way to gauge the level of institutionalized “Diffusion of Responsibility” within an organization is to simply look at how many people are required to approve (“sign off” on) various documents prior to their release. For example: | In many organizations, “Diffusion of Responsibility” has become an institutionalized practice used as a means to avoid accountability (if everyone is responsible, then no one is responsible). A quick way to gauge the level of institutionalized “Diffusion of Responsibility” within an organization is to simply look at how many people are required to approve (“sign off” on) various documents prior to their release. For example: |
| * Certifications (e.g., Certificate of Conformance/Conformity (CoC), Certificates of Analysis CoA)) | * Certifications (e.g., Certificate of Conformance/Conformity (CoC), Certificates of Analysis CoA)) |
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| The more people who are required to approve (“sign off” on) on various documents prior to their release, the greater the diffusion of responsibility. This is a strategy (consciously) used by many insecure (or inept) managers to create a sense of “plausible deniability”. If a mistake is made, then the manager has multiple candidates upon whom to assign blame (in order to protect himself or herself from being held accountable). | The more people who are required to approve (“sign off” on) various documents prior to their release, the greater the diffusion of responsibility. This is a strategy (consciously) used by many insecure (or inept) managers to create a sense of “plausible deniability”. If a mistake is made, then the manager has multiple candidates upon whom to assign blame (in order to protect himself or herself from being held accountable). |
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| ===== How does “Diffusion of Responsibility” Destroy Quality ===== | ===== How does “Diffusion of Responsibility” Destroy Quality ===== |
