Building an Organisational Vigilance Culture: International Examples and Their Applicability to the Algerian Context

Abstract

Organisational vigilance—the enduring, institutionalized ability of a collective to identify, analyze, and address emerging dangers prior to their escalation into crises—has emerged as a primary focus of modern management research. This essay analyzes the construction and maintenance of vigilance cultures in Singapore, France, Japan, and the United States, utilizing High-Reliability Organisation (HRO) theories, sensemaking frameworks, and institutional views. It subsequently inquires, with critical honesty rather than superficial prescription, the extent to which this worldwide experience is transferable to Algeria. The Algerian institutional framework, marked by an extensive public sector, a centralized administrative culture, a burgeoning private economy, and a geopolitical context that imposes significant security requirements on organisations, engenders both unique needs and specific limits. The analysis indicates that establishing a vigilance culture in Algeria necessitates a systematic method that commences with leadership commitment, progresses through the development of middle-management capabilities, and is finally integrated into regular professional practices rather than isolated training sessions. The article finishes with a research and policy agenda tailored to the Algerian environment.