Accountability Avoidance Syndrome (AAS)
(Corporate Governance / Responsibility Deflection)
A managerial pathology in which responsibility is systematically diffused across multiple stakeholders, ensuring that no single individual can be held accountable for failures. Organizations with AAS rely on complex approval processes, endless committees, and vague job descriptions to shield executives from blame.
Examples from practice
A failed project where no one can identify who was ultimately responsible for critical decisions.
Advantages
Reduces individual exposure to risk.
Disadvantages
Encourages inefficiency and lack of ownership.