Strengthening safety compliance in nuclear power operations: a role-based approach.
Safety compliance is of paramount importance in guaranteeing the safe running of nuclear power plants. However, it depends mostly on procedures that do not always involve the safest outcomes. This article introduces an empirical model based on the organizational role theory to analyze the influence of legitimate sources of expectations (procedures formalization and leadership) on workers' compliance behaviors. The sample was composed of 495 employees from two Spanish nuclear power plants. Structural equation analysis showed that, in spite of some problematic effects of proceduralization (such as role conflict and role ambiguity), procedure formalization along with an empowering leadership style lead to safety compliance by clarifying a worker's role in safety. Implications of these findings for safety research are outlined, as well as their practical implications.
Research Institute on Personnel Psychology, Organizational Development, and Quality of Working Life (IDOCAL), University of Valencia, Spain.
Mario
M
Martínez-Córcoles
Francisco J
FJ
Gracia
Inés
I
Tomás
José M
JM
Peiró
D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007857:Leadership; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants / Q000592:standards*; D012449:Safety
Leadership; nuclear safety; role theory; safety performance; safety procedures