Roger boisjoly and the challenger disaster: The ethical dimensions

Concepts of Care in Organizational Crisis Prevention

“…For example, NASA's Larry Mulloy reportedly framed the no-launch advocacy as an effort by Thiokol representatives to inappropriately establish new ''Launch Commit Criteria'' the night before a launch. However, Boisjoly and Thompson were undeterred in their no-launch recommendation (Armenakis, 2002;Boisjoly et al, 1989;Martin, 1992).…”

“…Several scholars have provided detailed accounts and useful analyses of the January 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, in which all seven crew members, including the first ''teacher in space'' lost their lives (Armenakis, 2002;Boisjoly, 1991;Boisjoly et al, 1989;Maier, 1997a, b;Martin, 1992). Of prominence in these analyses is the position of the aerospace engineer from Morton Thiokol, Roger M. Boisjoly, who advocated a ''no-launch'' decision of the doomed flight.…”

“…The potential ramifications of this type of problem were of serious concern, as such a problem, if founded, could have dire outcomes. Consequently, Boisjoly first alerted management at Thiokol and the National Aeronautics Space Administration [NASA] about potential problems with the rubber O-rings as early as January 1985 (Boisjoly, 1987;Boisjoly et al, 1989;Maier, 1997b).…”

“…This will make explicit the relevance of ''care'' to organizational crisis and response. Fourth, the role of an ethic of care in crisis management will be illustrated through consideration of a case study, the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger (Armenakis, 2002;Boisjoly, 1991;Boisjoly et al, 1989;Maier, 1997a,b;Martin, 1992). Finally, implications for business practice and directions for future research will be discussed.…”

Emotional engagement in professional ethics

“…[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] The above should not be construed as yet another ethical analysis of this case; instead it describes the decision-making process in terms of the changing personal involvement leading to varying degrees of emotional engagement which, it is believed, played a significant role in the decision to launch.…”