To understand safety culture in its entirety, the artefacts and behaviour, espoused values and basic assumptions that form the three levels of the concept of culture as it applies to safety must be identified. The application of the Three Level model to a specific organization would reflect the uniqueness of that organization and allow logical links to be made between the artefacts, espoused values and basic assumptions. Logical links will not be apparent in the illustrative examples shown below, as they are not derived from any particular organization.
Artefacts are the easiest to observe, but their meaning is the most difficult to interpret. Knowledge of espoused values will help with the meaning, but it is only when the basic assumptions are understood that the meaning of the components at the artefact level will become apparent.
Artefacts and behaviour: Architecture, greeting rituals, dress, forms of address — visible;
Espoused values: Strategies, goals, philosophies — can be elicited;
Basic assumptions: Human nature, basis on which people are respected — unconsciously held and usually tacit.
Basic assumptions lie at the deepest level of culture. They are fundamental beliefs that are so taken for granted that most people in a cultural group subscribe to them, but not in a conscious way. To understand any culture, it is necessary to unearth these basic assumptions that are operating. In the case of an organization, they will also reflect its history, and the values, beliefs and assumptions of the founders and key leaders who have made it successful. Basic assumptions are rarely discussed and confronted and are extremely difficult to change.