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",
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    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

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    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

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    SP - 152

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    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).

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