An Extended Dimensionality of Safety Behaviour Among Specialists in High Reliability Organizations

Abstract

In previous safety research, two main categorizations of safety behaviour prevailed: compliance, concerning rule adherence, and safety citizenship behaviour, concerning various aspects of organizational participation. The aim of the present study was to expand on the dimensionality of safety behaviour and safety motivation among specialists in safety critical industries, defined as high reliability organizations. A qualitative method, using focus groups from three different occupations within the aviation industry, was utilized. In total, 13 informants participated. An alternating inductive/deductive approach using thematic analysis was selected. Besides compliance and safety citizenship behaviour, three further safety behaviours were identified and defined: adaptive, proactive and self-directed safety behaviour. Finally, the underlying motivational factors for each safety behaviour were discussed.