Cameron, I and Duff, R (2007) Use of performance measurement and goal setting to improve construction managers' focus on health and safety. Construction Management and Economics, 25(8), pp. 869-881. ISSN 1466433X
Abstract
Previous attempts to use goal setting and feedback to improve safety behaviour on construction sites have focused on operatives, but recognized management commitment as essential for success. This research addressed two problems: validly and reliably measuring the safety performance of construction managers; and motivating managers to improve their safety performance. A measure of management safety performance was developed, covering seven items: induction training; toolbox talk training; safety committees; subcontractor safety; maintenance of safety records; safety manager actions and safety consideration (interaction, communication and worker engagement). This was used on a case study site to improve motivation of the management team. During an intervention, using monthly feedback and goal-setting techniques, their performance improved from 49% to 82% of maximum expected performance. The results demonstrate that a valid and reliable measure of management safety performance is practicable and support the proposition that goal setting can improve management safety performance in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | behavioural safety; feedback; goal setting; organizational behaviour; organizational psychology; safety |
| Index terms: | safety behaviour, organizational behaviour, performance measurement, case study, interaction, construction industry, operative, commitment, worker engagement, construction site, motivation, manager, health and safety, safety performance, subcontractor, organizational psychology, construction manager |
| Subjects: | occupational health and safety management, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, performance measurement, management, health safety and environment, work location, psychology, business, profession, data collection methods, practitioner |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Organizational Design, Site Management, Quality Management, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here