The Influence of Leadership Approaches and Employee Participation on Developing and Maintaining a Safety Culture within Saudi Arabia's Construction Sector

Abstract

This study examines the impact of leadership styles and the employee involvement on safety culture within Saudi Arabia’s construction sector as a significant shortfall exists in the focus on these safety aspects. The aim is to address this shortfall in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Furthermore, the study employs three theoretical frameworks: the Full Range Leadership Model (FRLM), the Employee Involvement (EI) Model, and the Safety Culture Maturity Model (SCMM). The primary objectives are to examine the effectiveness and interrelationship of leadership styles and employee participation, and to assess their impact on the overall safety culture. The study reveals the current maturity level of safety culture, identifies organizational, cultural, and regulatory barriers, and provides recommendations to improve leadership practices and employee engagement, thereby attaining the highest level of safety maturity. A quantitative methodology was employed, targeting health and safety professionals working in Saudi Arabia. The research instrument comprised the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-Form 6S), to assess the leadership styles within the FRLM. Furthermore, an EI Model was utilized to assess the degree of employee participation in safety-related activities. A total of 270 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis. The findings indicated that transformational leadership was the most dominant style, followed by transactional leadership, with laissez-faire leadership scoring the lowest. Employee involvement was also reported to be at a high level. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between transformational leadership and employee involvement, as well as between transactional leadership and employee involvement. Conversely, laissez-faire leadership demonstrated no correlation. This study aims to inspire industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, and safety practitioners to develop strategies that enhance safety compliance and performance; thus, promoting a safer and more sustainable workplaces.