Charles Perrow

In his 1984 book Normal Accidents, Perrow argued that systems with complex interactions and tight coupling are inherently vulnerable to failure. He coined the term "normal accidents" to describe unexpected, cascading failures that are inevitable in such systems. This theory fundamentally changed how organizations view technological risk.

Charles Perrow was an American sociologist whose research focused on the intersection of organizations, technology, and human risk. He extensively studied how large-scale institutions operate and why catastrophic system failures occur. His work has deeply influenced modern sociology and risk management.

Perrow defined tight coupling as a system where processes happen fast and cannot be easily turned off, while complex interactions involve unfamiliar or unexpected sequences of failures. When both of these elements are present in a system like a nuclear power plant, accidents become inevitable. These traits make it impossible for operators to fully control the system during a crisis.

Normal Accidents was first published in 1984. The book immediately became a foundational text in the fields of organizational behavior and environmental sociology. Its principles are still widely taught in universities today.