Reinforcing safety behaviours of leaders in the South Korean maritime industry

Drawing on the reciprocal determinism framework, this research aims to examine a critical determinant influencing the safety behaviours of leaders in South Korea’s maritime industry and how determinants interact to reinforce safety behaviours. Based on the extant literature, the study identified determinants across three dimensions: personal, behavioural and environmental dimensions. This quantitative research collected datasets from senior seafarers (i.e., experts) from the deck and engine departments in South Korea. The fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (f-DEMATEL) method was employed to categorize the determinants of safety behaviours of leaders into cause-and-effect groups. The analysis newly revealed that the organizational-environment dimension can largely interact with the personal dimension for leadership approaches to reinforce safety behaviours. Moreover, safety climate was found to be a critical determinant significantly influencing other determinants. Reviewing this research, seafarers and management staff in South Korea could develop a strategic plan to enhance the safety behaviours of leaders.