Chinda, T and Mohamed, S (2008) Structural equation model of construction safety culture. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 15(2), pp. 114-131. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - This paper sets out to describe the development and empirical testing of a structural equation model of construction safety culture. A key contribution of the model is providing insights into the interactions among safety culture enablers, and the relation between those enablers (what the organisation is doing) and safety culture goals (what the organisation aims to achieve) in the context of the Thai construction industry. Design/methodology/ approach - Based on the internationally recognised EFQM Excellence model, this paper empirically examines the interactions and causal relationships between five enablers (i.e. Leadership, Policy and strategy, People, Partnerships and resources and Processes) and safety outcome (i.e. Goals). The paper utilises the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypothesised positive inter-relationships between the enablers and goals. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of construction contracting organisations operating in Thailand to elicit opinions on the different attributes in the context of their current safety practices and performance. Findings - Supported by empirical evidence, this study established that firstly, the Leadership enabler directly influences the implementation of Policy and Strategy, however, its effect on Partnerships and Resources appears to be an indirect one; secondly, Partnerships and Resources was found to indirectly affect Processes through Policy and Strategy, which likewise appears to be indirectly influenced by the People enabler. Originality/value - This study provides a greater understanding of the interactions between the key elements of safety culture (enablers and goals), and among the enablers themselves.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; health and safety; quality improvement; Thailand |
| Index terms: | implementation, interaction, testing, construction industry, structural equation model, Thailand, partnership, quality improvement, safety culture, construction safety, contracting organization, methodology, questionnaire, evidence, strategy, structural equation modelling, survey, health and safety |
| Subjects: | statistical analysis, behavioral psychology, environmental health, industry analysis, partnership management, health safety and environment, Geography, research methods, management, project delivery, contractual arrangements, professional practice, practitioner, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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