Just a couple of coments relative to the new twist in this thread.
Typically an oversight body audits the safety process from time to time. Under Continued Airworthiness Part 39 its the likes of the FAA, CAA, etc. etc. The process must be acceptable to them, else you could lose yout TC.
Of course its true about bean counters, counting beans, but the safety process should have been adequately funded and staffed in the first place to pass it's audit.
Then we have the top dog or CEO. This guy really worries about public perception and getting hammered in both the board rooms and cocktail parties and when things go wrong he's worse then a sea captain in holding underlings accountable for safety. If there's any negative pressure against safety it's more likely to come from middle management if you can define that level.