Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2019 Causes and Prevention of Electric Power Industry Accidents: A Delphi Study Ganesh Narine Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Engineering Commons, and the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Ganesh Narine has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Nikunja Swain, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Kenneth Sherman, University Reviewer, Management Faculty The Office of the Provost Walden University 2019 Abstract Causes and Prevention of Electric Power Industry Accidents: A Delphi Study by Ganesh Narine MPhil, Walden University, 2019 MSc, University of the West Indies, 1995 BSc, University of the West Indies, 1986 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University October 2019 Abstract The electric power industry is very complex, dangerous, and challenging. The number of workplace accidents declined over the last decade, but worker injuries and fatalities continue to occur. The purpose of this Delphi study was to gain consensus regarding the most feasible and desirable methods to prevent accidents and deaths. The research question focused on gaining consensus from a panel of experts regarding the most desirable and feasible solutions to fatal and serious workplace accidents in the United States. The Bolman and Deal 4-frame model proved useful for understanding challenges within the electric industry and how workers and leaders can work together to best prevent accidents. Twenty-seven managers, trainers, supervisors, and workers, each with more than 10 years of experience in the United States electric power industry, responded to 30 items in the first round. The responses from the first round, where 70% or more of participants agreed, were analyzed using the NVivo 12 Plus software. Consensus occurred after each round: In the first round through the solutions participants provided. In the second round and later rounds, consensus occurred through acceptance of items with scores of 3 or higher on a 5-point Likert-type scale endorsed by 70% or more respondents. Participants decided if the solutions were desirable and feasible in the second round, and important and credible in rounds third and fourth. Participants concurred that organizational leadership, managers, supervisors, and workers were in different ways responsible for accident prevention. Supervisors and managers who communicated organizational priorities, and demanded strict compliance with policies, rules, and procedures, promote social change in a highly specialized industry. Causes and Prevention of Electric Power Industry Accidents: A Delphi Study by Ganesh Narine MPhil, Walden University, 2019 MSc, University of the West Indies, 1995 BSc, University of the West Indies, 1986 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University October 2019 Dedication My mother would be smiling in heaven, and she will never stop. Safe working is a necessity and not a benefit. To all my colleagues and friends in the electric power industry always remember that in the work safe message, there is a me who is you. Acknowledgments Success is nothing more than the completion of a journey that was not possible without assistance. At Walden University, I owe my success to Dr. E. Thompson and Dr. N. Swain. My life has been a journey to places and experiences that I just never imagined. I am here because of Vivian and Lakshmi (Tara). You inspired me to continue and to reach where I wanted you to go. Leader of the family Siddiqa, my daughter in law, I looked out for your calls each night as I pressed on to this point. Varna, your support is most appreciated too. Anne Marie and Miss Elsie; your quiet and calm reassurance is significant and worth so much more. I would not be here without my wife, Caroline Wendy. You are my soul mate and true friend, and this is our success as, without your constant encouragement and challenges, this outcome would be so very different. We have another Ph.D. success to celebrate, and I look forward to that. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study……………………………………………… ............1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Question .........................................................................................................7 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................7 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................10 Definitions....................................................................................................................14 Assumptions .................................................................................................................16 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................17 Limitations ...................................................................................................................19 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................21 Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 23 Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 24 Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 24 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................25 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................27 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................28 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................29 i Literature Review.........................................................................................................33 Summary and Conclusions ........................................................................................138 Chapter 3: Research Method ............................................................................................140 Research Design and Rationale .................................................................................140 Role of the Researcher ...............................................................................................144 Methodology ..............................................................................................................145 Participant Selection Logic ................................................................................. 148 Instrumentation ................................................................................................... 151 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection ........................ 152 Data Analysis Plan .............................................................................................. 155 Issues of Trustworthiness ...........................................................................................157 Credibility ........................................................................................................... 157 Transferability ..................................................................................................... 157 Dependability ...................................................................................................... 158 Confirmability ..................................................................................................... 158 Ethical Procedures .............................................................................................. 159 Summary ....................................................................................................................161 Chapter 4: Results……………………………………………… ..................................