A Study on Current Features of Discipline Systems in Aircraft Maintenance Organizations in Turkey And Possible Effects of These Features on Just Culture

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the effect of current disciplinary systems to positive safety culture in maintenance and overhaul organizations (MROs) of Turkey. It detects a problem in literature as “the effect of discipline rules to safety culture”, then ascertains what this problem corresponds to in the real world. During the research, semi-structured interviews were used in data collection where present situation of disciplinary systems of MROS is determined. Thereafter, the stories and ideas of participants- the safety, HR and quality managers- has been interpreted within the context of “safety culture” that is the key concept. In the end of the research, the problem detected in literature has been explored in the real world and identified within the context of “just culture” which is defined as a subculture of safety culture. Regarding the problem identified herewith, this study explores the reason for the presence of the discipline rules, the functioning of the disciplinary system scrutinizing all the processes involved in and finally the provisions considered when applying to penalties while criticizing them within the context of “just culture”. The paper eventually is expected to lead forth to planners and practitioners of disciplinary systems in organizations which are endeavoring to strengthen positive safety culture.