The institutionalization of 'mock bureaucracies' in underground coalmining environments: A collective case study analysis

An institutionalist perspective is used to examine the high incidence of non-compliance with safety regulations within coalmining environments. The various mechanisms of influence that are “deligitimizing” safety regulations are identified. These “forces” are shown to be instrumental in the development and perpetuation of “mock bureaucracies” within these mining environments. The implications for improving working conditions are presented as are the implications for organizational theory.