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Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to question the common conviction that responsibility is the major factor influencing performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the form of a comparison of two recent cases of ecological catastrophes.
Findings
In emergency situations, locating parties able to perform gives better results than establishing responsibility for the accident.
Research limitations/implications
More similar cases should be examined systematically.
Practical implications
If the conclusions are accepted, the conventional mode of acting in emergencies may change.
Social implications
Hopefully, the paper may redirect attention from responsibility to performativity.
Originality/value
The paper opposes a commonly accepted belief and the corresponding mode of acting.
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2011
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