Deepak, M D and Mahesh, G (2019) Developing a knowledge-based safety culture instrument for construction industry: Reliability and validity assessment in Indian context. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26(11), pp. 2597-2613. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Harnessing the power of knowledge management is important for minimizing accidents occurring at construction projects. Yet, knowledge management is a neglected dimension when developing safety culture in the construction industry. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a knowledge-based safety culture questionnaire and examine its validity and reliability in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was formulated after identifying 69 influencing factors from a thorough literature review. In total, 210 valid responses were obtained from key stakeholders operating in Indian construction industry. Reliability and validity of the measurement scale were examined by factor analysis and inter-item correlation test. Comparison of knowledge-based safety culture scores across several demographic profiles of the respondents was utilized for testing discriminant validity. Findings: Results suggest that the new instrument appears to be a reliable, valid and sensitive instrument that will contribute in examining the effect of key factors that influence the importance of the knowledge dimension toward developing safety culture in the construction industry. Originality/value: The measurement tool developed in this study focuses on considering the importance of knowledge management in enhancing safety culture of the construction industry. This instrument can be utilized to compare the level of safety culture among key stakeholders of construction projects. This paper can contribute to the promotion of safety theory in Indian construction industry and provide practical implications for construction enterprises when they engage in improving safety conditions in their organizations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; construction safety; knowledge management; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | knowledge management, construction safety, questionnaire, construction project, methodology, survey, literature review, dimension, construction industry, testing, factor analysis, validity, promotion, safety culture, influencing factor |
| Subjects: | production management, health safety and environment, professional development, management, research methods, industry analysis, environmental health, statistical analysis, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, risk assessment, professional practice, data analysis and analytics, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Health and Safety, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Project Management, Risk Management, Sustainability |
| 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