Responsibility spreads across teams, vendors, and incentives until no one can intervene. Accountability diffusion erodes design authority and leaves harm without a decisive owner. If no one can unilaterally stop or reverse the harm, accountability is diffused.
Diagnostic
Scope
B. Failure modes (why Ethotechnics exists). Common patterns where responsibility dissolves and harm accelerates.
Genealogy
Names the structural cause of unowned harm in complex institutions and supply chains.
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. (2026). Accountability Diffusion. Ethotechnics glossary. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/accountability-diffusion
MLA
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Accountability Diffusion." Ethotechnics glossary, 2026, https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/accountability-diffusion.
Chicago
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Accountability Diffusion." Ethotechnics glossary. Jan 9, 2026. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/accountability-diffusion.
BibTeX
@misc{glossary_accountability-diffusion,
title={Accountability Diffusion},
author={Ethotechnics Institute Research Team},
year={2026},
howpublished={Ethotechnics glossary},
url={https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/accountability-diffusion},
version={v1.1.0}
}
RIS
TY - WEB
TI - Accountability Diffusion
AU - Ethotechnics Institute Research Team
PY - 2026
UR - https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/accountability-diffusion
ER -