Violent behaviour on construction sites: structural equation modelling of its impact on unsafe behaviour using partial least squares
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 8 July 2020
Issue publication date: 20 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Work on construction sites involves individuals with diverse character, temperament,age, physical strength, culture, religion and experience level. A good number of these individuals are also alleged to involve themselves in substance and alcohol abuse due to the physically demanding nature of their work. These could promote the prevalence of violence on construction sites which could in turn affect safety on construction sites. However, there is a lack of empirical insight into the effect of violent behaviour and unsafe behaviour on construction sites. This study therefore pioneers an empirical inquiry into the relationship between violent behaviour and unsafe behaviour on construction sites.
Design/methodology/approach
Seventeen violent behaviours and 15 unsafe behaviours were measured on 12 construction sites among 305 respondents using a structured questionnaire. A total of 207 valid questionnaire responses were collected from site workers. Partial least square–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to examine the relationship between violent behaviour and unsafe behaviour.
Findings
The results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between violent behaviour and unsafe behaviour on construction sites.
Originality/value
The findings from this study provide valuable insight into a less investigated dimension of the problem of construction site safety management. A focus on attitudinal issues such as how workers relate toward others and toward self should be an important consideration in safety improvement interventions on construction sites.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
“Appreciation is extended to Isaac Amoateng, then a postgraduate student in the Department of Construction Technology of KNUST and Samuel Fiifi Hammond, then a teaching and research assistant in the same department for their role in collecting the data for this study.”
Citation
Adinyira, E., Manu, P., Agyekum, K., Mahamadu, A.-M. and Olomolaiye, P.O. (2020), "Violent behaviour on construction sites: structural equation modelling of its impact on unsafe behaviour using partial least squares", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 27 No. 10, pp. 3363-3393. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-09-2019-0489
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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