Final answer:
The Swiss cheese model in business and risk management emphasizes the importance of multiple layers of checks and defenses to prevent errors and system failures. This approach is validated by studies in human factors psychology and reinforced with the idea of using multiple working hypotheses to test and understand complex systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Swiss cheese model is a metaphor used in risk analysis and risk management. It compares an organization's defense system to a stack of slices of Swiss cheese, representing layers of defense, each with potential holes or weaknesses. The holes in any single slice do not usually lead to a negative outcome, but when holes in multiple layers align, a pathway is created for errors or failures to occur.
This model advocates that errors can be reduced by building multiple checks and safeguards into a system. By designing systems with consideration of human factors such as cognitive load, like in the study by Bruno & Abrahão (2012) about the accuracy of decisions in an information security center, organizations can improve their error detection.
Similarly, using multiple models to understand complex systems as suggested by Chamberlin's concept of multiple working hypotheses, further aids in reducing errors. The idea is to test these models with the appropriate science and mathematics to ensure their proper construction and functioning, which is also highlighted in the field of human factors psychology.
For instance, testing protocols, such as those in automobile manufacturing, can reveal defects that must be addressed before production, to prevent costly liabilities. This aligns with the principle behind the Swiss cheese model, as each check reveals potential issues to be rectified, hence preventing more severe consequences. Studies like the one cited involving the Target data breach demonstrate real-world examples where lapses in the system of checks led to significant failures.