Complex Cause-Effect Relationships of Social Capital, Leader-Member Exchange, and Safety Behavior of Workers in Small-Medium Construction Firms and the Moderating Role of Age

Marchel Bentoy, Marlon Mata, Jayson Bayogo, Roel Vasquez, Rose Mary Almacen, Samantha Shane Evangelista, Charldy Wenceslao, Jannen Batoon, Maria Diana Lauro, Kafferine Yamagishi, Gamaliel Gonzales, Angelo Burdeos and Lanndon Ocampo ()
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Marchel Bentoy: College of Engineering at Danao Campus, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Marlon Mata: College of Engineering at Danao Campus, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Jayson Bayogo: College of Engineering at Danao Campus, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Roel Vasquez: College of Engineering at Danao Campus, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Rose Mary Almacen: College of Engineering at Danao Campus, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Samantha Shane Evangelista: Center for Applied Mathematics and Operations Research, Cebu Technological University, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Charldy Wenceslao: Center for Applied Mathematics and Operations Research, Cebu Technological University, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Jannen Batoon: Educational Research and Resource Center, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Maria Diana Lauro: Educational Research and Resource Center, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Kafferine Yamagishi: Center for Applied Mathematics and Operations Research, Cebu Technological University, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Gamaliel Gonzales: Educational Research and Resource Center, Cebu Technological University, Danao 6004, Philippines
Angelo Burdeos: School of Business and Economics, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Lanndon Ocampo: Center for Applied Mathematics and Operations Research, Cebu Technological University, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: Due to workers’ vulnerability in construction sites, workplace safety has become of particular interest, and the current literature offers myriad approaches to dealing with it. From a social and organizational lens, this study explores an empirical model that integrates the dimensions of social capital theory (SCT) and leader-member exchange (LMX) in modelling the safety behavior of construction workers, particularly relevant in small-medium construction firms. The data were collected from 232 construction workers in the central Philippines. The responses were analyzed using partial least squares—structural equation modeling to investigate five hypothesized paths, including the influence of SCT dimensions (e.g., structural, relational, and cognitive) on LMX and LMX on safety behaviors (i.e., compliance and participation). We also tested whether the relationship of LMX to safety behaviors is moderated by age. The results indicate that the three dimensions of SCT have a significant and direct influence on LMX. In addition, LMX directly affects safety participation but does not significantly affect safety compliance. Particularly in small and medium construction firms with relatively flat organizational structures and supervisors displaying diverse roles, these findings suggest that the social relationships of workers tend to promote their trust and professional respect for supervisors who can leverage their position to encourage them participate in safety initiatives. On the other hand, age negatively influences the relationship of LMX to safety participation, indicating that younger workers tend to better translate high quality LMX into initiatives that promote overall workplace safety. Our findings offer the first evidence of the positive relationship between SCT and LMX in advancing the safety participation of construction workers. From these insights, practical inputs to the design of relevant measures and future research works are outlined.

Keywords: social capital; leader-member exchange; safety behavior; construction workers; small-medium enterprises (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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