Learning from Fukushima: Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety

M. Ylönen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of the international institutional isomorphic pressures and lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. The recent upgrading of nuclear safety requirements at the international and national level, as well as harmonisation attempts of nuclear reactor safety by the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA), show serious efforts to improve nuclear safety and implement lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. After Fukushima new requirements for the new nuclear power plants were set, such as preparedness for natural hazards, multiple failure and core melt situations. In addition, improvement of safety culture was emphasised, as well as strengthening of independence of the regulatory body from external pressures, and increasing of independence between different levels of defence in depth safety. However, learning from accidents is often affected by institutional factors, which may both contribute and hamper safety and learning.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture
Subtitle of host publicationProgramme and Abstracts
PublisherInternational Atomic Energy Agency IAEA
Pages152-153
Publication statusPublished - 2016
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
EventInternational Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety: Exploring 30 Years of Safety Culture - Vienna, Austria
Duration: 22 Feb 2016 → 26 Feb 2016

Publication series

SeriesINIS Report
NumberIAEA-CN--237

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety
CountryAustria
CityVienna
Period22/02/16 → 26/02/16

Fingerprint

accident
nuclear power plant
learning
institutional factors
harmonization

Keywords

  • nuclear power plants
  • Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station
  • reactor sites
  • safety
  • standards

Cite this

Ylönen, M. (2016). Learning from Fukushima: Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety. In International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture: Programme and Abstracts (pp. 152-153). [IAEA-CN-237-005] International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA. INIS Report, No. IAEA-CN--237
Ylönen, M. / Learning from Fukushima : Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety. International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture: Programme and Abstracts. International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, 2016. pp. 152-153 (INIS Report; No. IAEA-CN--237).
@inproceedings{819390a9c8a142a69f7654d8d953bfa1,
title = "Learning from Fukushima: Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety",
abstract = "This paper is an analysis of the international institutional isomorphic pressures and lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. The recent upgrading of nuclear safety requirements at the international and national level, as well as harmonisation attempts of nuclear reactor safety by the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA), show serious efforts to improve nuclear safety and implement lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. After Fukushima new requirements for the new nuclear power plants were set, such as preparedness for natural hazards, multiple failure and core melt situations. In addition, improvement of safety culture was emphasised, as well as strengthening of independence of the regulatory body from external pressures, and increasing of independence between different levels of defence in depth safety. However, learning from accidents is often affected by institutional factors, which may both contribute and hamper safety and learning.",
keywords = "nuclear power plants, Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, reactor sites, safety, standards",
author = "M. Yl{\"o}nen",
note = "Project: 108650",
year = "2016",
language = "English",
series = "INIS Report",
publisher = "International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA",
number = "IAEA-CN--237",
pages = "152--153",
booktitle = "International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture",
address = "Austria",

}

Ylönen, M 2016, Learning from Fukushima: Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety. in International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture: Programme and Abstracts., IAEA-CN-237-005, International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, INIS Report, no. IAEA-CN--237, pp. 152-153, International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety, Vienna, Austria, 22/02/16.

Learning from Fukushima : Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety. / Ylönen, M.

International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture: Programme and Abstracts. International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, 2016. p. 152-153 IAEA-CN-237-005 (INIS Report; No. IAEA-CN--237).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Learning from Fukushima

T2 - Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety

AU - Ylönen, M.

N1 - Project: 108650

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - This paper is an analysis of the international institutional isomorphic pressures and lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. The recent upgrading of nuclear safety requirements at the international and national level, as well as harmonisation attempts of nuclear reactor safety by the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA), show serious efforts to improve nuclear safety and implement lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. After Fukushima new requirements for the new nuclear power plants were set, such as preparedness for natural hazards, multiple failure and core melt situations. In addition, improvement of safety culture was emphasised, as well as strengthening of independence of the regulatory body from external pressures, and increasing of independence between different levels of defence in depth safety. However, learning from accidents is often affected by institutional factors, which may both contribute and hamper safety and learning.

AB - This paper is an analysis of the international institutional isomorphic pressures and lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. The recent upgrading of nuclear safety requirements at the international and national level, as well as harmonisation attempts of nuclear reactor safety by the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA), show serious efforts to improve nuclear safety and implement lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. After Fukushima new requirements for the new nuclear power plants were set, such as preparedness for natural hazards, multiple failure and core melt situations. In addition, improvement of safety culture was emphasised, as well as strengthening of independence of the regulatory body from external pressures, and increasing of independence between different levels of defence in depth safety. However, learning from accidents is often affected by institutional factors, which may both contribute and hamper safety and learning.

KW - nuclear power plants

KW - Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station

KW - reactor sites

KW - safety

KW - standards

M3 - Conference article in proceedings

T3 - INIS Report

SP - 152

EP - 153

BT - International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture

PB - International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA

ER -

Ylönen M. Learning from Fukushima: Institutional isomorphism as contributing and constraining nuclear safety. In International Conference on Human and Organizational Aspects of Assuring Nuclear Safety. Exploring 30 years of Safety Culture: Programme and Abstracts. International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA. 2016. p. 152-153. IAEA-CN-237-005. (INIS Report; No. IAEA-CN--237).

Access to Document