Citation

Challenger R, Clegg CW. Contemp. Soc. Sci. 2011; 6(3): 343-360.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/21582041.2011.619862

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We present a socio-technical systems framework and underlying principles to help understand a sample of crowd-related disasters. Our approach is founded on the premise that disasters result from complex systems failures, wherein a series of interdependent factors combine in such a way as to cause problems. We explore the explanatory power of our approach by analysing three incidents; Hillsborough football (soccer) stadium disaster (1989), King's Cross underground fire (1987), and Bradford City stadium fire (1985). We find a common set of fundamental, interrelated issues and consistent violations of our socio-technical design principles. We conclude by discussing how our framework, principles and socio-technical thinking more generally, may contribute to theory and practice