Linking Leader–Member Exchange and Informal Safety Communication of Construction Workers in China: A Cognitive Psychology Perspective
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149, Issue 10
Abstract
Although leader-focused interventions to improve safety performances on construction sites have been widely proposed and discussed, the mechanism linking informal safety communication between leaders and workers is poorly known. This research developed and tested a theoretical model regarding the effects of leader–member exchange on the informal safety communication of construction workers, focusing on the cognitive psychology perspective. Psychological and cognitive factors were examined as mediators in this research. Meanwhile, empirical data were collected from 333 construction workers in China using a detailed questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was implemented to analyze the data using commercially available software. The results showed that frequent exchanges with frontline supervisors could make workers more willing to communicate safety issues with coworkers. There were differences in how supervisors activated the three types of safety communication. The psychological contract of safety had more substantial mediating effects on the relationship between leader–member exchange and the self-needed safety communication of workers. In contrast, psychological safety was more related to citizenship safety communication than participatory safety communication. These results enrich the theoretical knowledge of leader–worker research and provide practical insights for promoting worker interactions beneficial to safety performance onsite.
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Data Availability Statement
Data generated or analyzed during the study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Beijing Municipal Social Science Foundation (Grant No. 22GLC042), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 72002010).
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Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149 • Issue 10 • October 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 31, 2022
Accepted: May 22, 2023
Published online: Jul 17, 2023
Published in print: Oct 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Dec 17, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Construction sites
- Contracts and subcontracts
- Data collection
- Employment
- Engineering fundamentals
- Human and behavioral factors
- Labor
- Methodology (by type)
- Occupational safety
- Personnel management
- Practice and Profession
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Research and development
- Research methods (by type)
- Safety
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