Towards a sociology of risk work: A narrative review and synthesis |
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| Authors: | Nicola K Gale Gareth M Thomas Rachel Thwaites Sheila Greenfield Patrick Brown |
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| Affiliation: | 1. University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;2. University of Cardiff, Cardiff, UK;3. Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK;4. University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | In this article, we define the concept of “risk work,” which aims to make visible working practices to assess or manage risk, in order to subject these practices to sociological critique. This article reviews and synthesizes existing published literature to identify components of risk work: (a) translating risk into different contexts, (b) minimizing risks in practice, and (c) caring in the context of risk. We argue that these three components of risk work raise important tensions for workers that have been inadequately explored in the literature to date. We propose that future research should additionally focus on practitioner subjectivity and identity in risk work. In addition, we argue that comparative research—across type of risk and different contexts—and methodological and theoretical diversity would enhance this emerging field of research. |
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| Keywords: | management occupations organizations risk science and medicine subjects work |
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