Integrated management systems in aviation: insights from case study research

Abstract

Integrated Management Systems (IMS) have gained increasing attention within the aviation industry as organisations seek to manage multiple, often fragmented, management systems more effectively. Despite this interest, empirical research and regulatory guidance on IMS implementation in aviation remain limited, with much of the existing literature focusing on conceptual models rather than practical application. Recent studies emphasize the importance of incorporating risk as a unifying element within IMS, given its central role across all management systems. This paper presents a case study evaluating the practical applicability of an IMS model developed by Meeûs, which aims to bridge the gap between theoretical integration frameworks and operational implementation. The model is derived from an analysis of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Safety Management System components and their alignment with various management systems, resulting in a standardized integration “language.” This language consists of a shared risk component and two classification mechanisms designed to identify events and underlying causes across multiple systems. The model further introduces the IMS Cube concept, enabling reported events to be reviewed holistically rather than in isolation within individual management systems. Using empirical data, this study analyses the feasibility of implementing the proposed IMS language and integrated process in an operational aviation context. The findings provide insights into the model’s behaviour in practice and contribute empirical evidence to support the advancement of risk-based integrated management systems in aviation.