Does organizational culture shape safety? A cross-level study on artisan spirit and performance in high-speed rail drivers

High speed rail (HSR) is a critical component of modern transportation systems, and its operational safety is directly linked to public transit reliability and efficiency. However, over 70% of HSR accidents are attributed to driver operational errors rather than technical failures, highlighting the urgency of safety research from a human factors perspective. Organizational artisan spirit, a cultural orientation emphasizing precision, excellence, and continuous improvement, aligns with zero error requirements in high risk transportation industries. It is essential for enhancing HSR driver competence and promoting industry development. Grounded in self determination theory, this study examines how organizational artisan spirit influences HSR driver safety performance. Data are collected from 388 HSR drivers across 18 locomotive depots in China, and hierarchical linear modeling(HLM) is employed in two studies. Results indicate that organizational artisan spirit has a significant positive effect on safety performance. Career calling is found to mediate the relationship between organizational artisan spirit and safety performance. Coaching leadership at the organizational level positively moderates the relationship between organizational artisan spirit and career calling. This study extends interdisciplinary research bridging human factors engineering and organizational behavior, offering transportation departments a managerial perspective on accident prevention and system resilience through cultivating an artisan oriented safety culture.