Skip to main content
Log in

Quality of the Execution of Corporate Safety Policies and Employee Safety Outcomes: Assessing the Moderating Role of Supervisor Safety Support and the Mediating Role of Employee Safety Control

  • Published:
Journal of Business and Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To reduce the risk of injury and promote job safety, many organizations have attempted to establish safety policies. This study examined the presumed benefits of safety policies and the roles of two organizational variables (supervisor safety support and employee safety control) on safety outcomes and satisfaction with the company. Results showed that quality of the execution of corporate safety policies, supervisor safety support, and employee safety control play critical roles in predicting both injury incidence and satisfaction with the company. These findings highlight the importance of integrating both organizational safety policies and relevant organizational constructs to improve organizational safety.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, G. A., & Jex, S. M. (1999). Relationships between time management, control, work-family conflict, and strain. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 4, 72-77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andries, F., Kompier, M. A., & Smulders, P. G. W. (1996). Do you think that your health or safety are at risk because of your work? A large European study on psychological and physical work demands. Work & Stress, 10, 104-118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arbukle, J. (1999). AMOS version 4.0: Analysis or Moment Structures. Chicago, IL: Small Waters Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Averill, J. R. (1973). Personal control over aversive stimuli and its relationship to stress. Psychological Bulletin, 80, 286-303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barling, J., Loughlin, C., & Kelloway, E. K. (2002). Development and test of a model linking safety-specific transformational leadership and occupational safety. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 488-496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173-1182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M., & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588-606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobko, P. (1995). Correlation and regression: principles and applications for industrial;organizational psychology and management. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bond, F. W., & Bunce, D. (2001). Job control mediates change in a work reorganization intervention for stress seduction. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 4, 290-302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bycio, P., Hackett, R. D., & Allen, J. S. (1995). Further assessments of Bass's (1995) conceptualization of transactional and transformational leadership. Journal of Applied Psychology, 80, 468-478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cascio, W. F. (1989). Using utility analysis to assess training outcomes. In I. L. Goldstein (Ed.), Training and development in organizations (pp. 63-88). San Francisco, CA, US: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A., Smith, M. J., & Anger, W. K. (1979). Self-protective measures against workplace hazards. Journal of Safety Research, 11, 121-131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dedobbeleer, N., & Beland, F. (1991). A safety climate measure for construction sites. Journal of Safety Research, 22(2), 97-103.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeJoy, D. M. (1994). Managing safety in the workplace: An attribution theory analysis and model. Journal of Safety Research, 25(1), 3-17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glass, D. C., & McKnight, J. D. (1996). Perceived control, depressive symptomatology, and professional burnout: A review of the evidence. Psychology and Health, 11, 23-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, M. A., & Neal, A. (2000). Perceptions of safety at work: A framework for linking safety climate to safety performance, knowledge, and motivation. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5(3), 347-358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of the Job Diagnostic Survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, 159-170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16, 250-279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, T. C. (1998). Predicting workplace safety outcomes through subordinate and supervisor involvement in safety issues. Univ. Microfilms International, US.

  • Hayes, B. E., Perandan, J., Smecko, T., & Trask, J. (1998). Measuring perceptions of workplace safety: Development and validation of the Work Safety Scale. Journal of Safety Research, 29, 145-161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemingway, M. A., & Smith, C. S. (1999). Organizational climate and occupational stressors as predictors of withdrawal behaviors and injuries in nurses. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 72, 285-299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, D. A., & Morgeson, F. P. (1999). Safety-related behavior as a social exchange: The role of perceived organizational support and leader-member exchange. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 286-296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, D. A., Morgeson, F. P., & Gerras, S. J. (2003). Climate as a moderator of the relationship between leader-member exchange and content specific citizenship: Safety climate as an exemplar. Journal of Applied Psychology.

  • Hofmann, D. A., & Stetzer, A. (1996). A cross-level investigation of factors influencing unsafe behaviors and accidents. Personnel Psychology, 41, 307-339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssens, M. M., Brett, J., & Smith, F. J. (1995). Confirmatory cross-cultural research: Testing the viability of a corporation-wide safety policy. Academy of Management Journal, 38(2), 364-382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Judge, T. A., Bono, J. E., Ilies, R. & Gerhardt, M. W. (2002). Personality and leadership: A qualitative and quantitative review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 765-780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Judge, T. A., Thoresen, C. J., Bono, J. E., & Patton, G. K. (2001). The job satisfaction–job performance relationship: A qualitative and quantitative review. Psychological Bulletin, 127(3), 376-407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek, R. A. (1979). Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain: Implications for job redesign. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, 285-311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek, R., & Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy work: Stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, G. M., & Beehr, T. A. (1986). Interactions between job stressors and social support: Some counterintuitive results. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71, 522-526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelloway, E. K. (1998). Using LISREL for Structure Equation Modeling. California: SAGE. 23-40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landen, D. D., & Hendricks, S. (1995). Effect of recall on reporting of at work injuries. Public Health Reports, 110, 350-354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiter, M. P., & Harvie, P. (1997). Correspondence of supervisor and subordinate perspectives during major organizational change. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2, 343-352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiter, M. P., & Robichaud, L. (1997). Relationships of occupational hazards with burnout: An assessment of measures and models. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2, 35-44.

    Google Scholar 

  • LePine, J. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Ilgen, D. R., & Hedlund, J. (1997). Effects of individual differences on the performance of hierarchical decision-making teams: Much more than g. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82(5), 803-811.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, V. K. G. (1997). Moderating effects of work-based support on the relationship between job insecurity and its consequences. Work & Stress, 11, 251-266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lind, E. A., & Tyler, T. R. (1988). The social psychology of procedural justice. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macan, T. (1994). Time management: Test of a process model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79, 381-391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maierhofer, N. I., Griffin, M. A., & Sheehan, M. (2000). Linking manager values and behavior with employee values and behavior: A study of values and safety in the hairdressing industry. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5, 417-427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, H. W., Balla, J. R., & MacDonald, R. P. (1988). Goodness-of-fit indexes in confirmatory factor analysis: The effect of sample size. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 245-258.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Safety Council (2002). [Online]. Available: http://www.nsc.org/

  • Neal, A., Griffin, M. A., & Hart, P. M. (2000). The impact of organizational climate on safety climate and individual behavior. Safety Science, 34, 99-109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelkin, D., & Brown, M. S. (1984). Workers at risk: Voices from the workplace. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niskanen, T. (1994). Assessing the safety environment in work organization of road maintenance jobs. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 26(1), 27-39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric Theory (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1989, January 26). Voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Federal Register (54 FR 3904).

  • Parker, S. K., Axtell, C. M., & Turner, N. (2001). Designing a safer workplace: Importance of job autonomy, communication quality, and supportive supervisors. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 6(3), 211-228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, L., & Eisenberger, R. (2002). Perceived organizational support: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 498-714.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schat, A. C. H., & Kelloway, E. K. (2000). Effects of perceived control on the outcomes of workplace aggression and violence. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5, 386-402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spector, P. E. (1986). Perceived control by employees: A meta-analysis of studies concerning autonomy and participation at work. Human Relations, 39, 1005-1016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spector, P. E., & Jex, S. M. (1991). Relations of job characteristics from multiple data sources with employee affect, absence, turnover intentions, and health. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, 46-53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiger, J. H. (1990). Structural model evaluation and modification: An interval estimation approach. Multivariate Behavior Research, 25, 173-180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & De Santamaria, M. C. (1980). Industrial safety hazard reduction through performance feedback. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 13, 287-295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tett, R. P., & Meyer, J. P. (1993). Job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover intention, and turnover: Path analyses based on meta-analytic findings. Personnel Psychology, 46(2), 259-293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teuchmann, K., Totterdell, P., & Parker, S. K. (1999). Rushed, unhappy, and drained: An experience sampling study of relations between time pressure, perceived control, mood, and emotional exhaustion in a group of accountants. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 4, 37-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, L. T., & Ganster, D. C. (1995). Impact of family supportive work variables on work-family conflict and strain: A control perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 80, 6-15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsui, A. S., Pearce, J. L., Porter, L. W., & Tripoli, A. M. (1997). Alternative approaches to the employee-organization relationship: Does investment in employees pay off? Academy of Management Journal, 40(5), 1089-1121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tziner, A., Latham, G. P., Price, B. S., & Haccoun, R. (1996). Development and validation of a questionnaire for measuring perceived political considerations in performance appraisal. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 17(2), 179-190.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Department of Labor (2002). [Online]. Available: http://www.dol.gov/

  • Viswesvaran, C., Sanchez, J. I., & Fisher, J. (1999). The role of social support in the process of work stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 54, 314-334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohar, D. (1980). Safety climate in industrial organizations: Theoretical and applied implications. Journal of Applied Psychology, 65(1), 96-102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohar, D. (2000). A group-level model of safety climate: Testing the effect of group climate on microaccidents in manufacturing jobs. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(4), 587-596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohar, D. (2002). The effect of leadership dimensions, safety climate, and assigned priorities on minor injuries in work group. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23, 75-92.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yueng-Hsiang Huang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huang, YH., Chen, P.Y., Krauss, A.D. et al. Quality of the Execution of Corporate Safety Policies and Employee Safety Outcomes: Assessing the Moderating Role of Supervisor Safety Support and the Mediating Role of Employee Safety Control. Journal of Business and Psychology 18, 483–506 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBU.0000028448.01394.bf

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBU.0000028448.01394.bf

Navigation