Comparing perspectives on organisational silence: an analysis of the Gosport inquiry

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines different perspectives on the broad umbrella term of organisational silence. It identifies ten perspectives on organisational silence from the previous literature on inquiries into failings of British National Health Service providers. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using content analysis, it applies ten perspectives on organisational silence to the report of the inquiry into the Gosport Hospital.

Findings

There is some overlap between the perspectives in that they draw on the same authors, and stress similar issues. There is some evidence for most of the perspectives in the report, but some perspectives appear stronger than others. However, none of the perspectives seem to cover the full spectrum of behaviour and place differential emphasis on different processes. It is not clear whether all ten perspectives add independent analytical value. This suggests that some might be extended or combined with the umbrella term of organisational silence more fully opened.

Originality/value

This is the first study in healthcare to review perspectives on organisational silence and apply them to a case study.

Citation

Powell, M. (2023), "Comparing perspectives on organisational silence: an analysis of the Gosport inquiry", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 67-83. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-07-2022-0202