A Literature Review on the Relationship Between Hofstede’s National Culture Framework and Occupational Safety

Abstract

According to data released by ILO, 340 million occupational accidents leading to economic losses, injuries, and deaths occur annually. In the literature, national culture, whose importance gradually increases with the working environment increasingly multicultural, was indicated as one of the factors that affect occupational safety. In this study, 20 articles examining the relationship between national culture and occupational safety over Hofstede's national culture dimensions were identified. These studies were reviewed in terms of the safety factor they examined, the method used, the sector and the results obtained. In addition, the studies were discussed in detail in terms of the effect of national culture on occupational safety. Accordingly, safety performance and safety attitudes were the most studied safety dimensions, questionnaires were the most used method and construction, aviation, oil and gas, and shipping sectors were the most examined sectors. Most of the studies were identified to be in favour of the negative effect of IDV on occupational safety, the negative effect or ineffectiveness of MAS, and the positive effect of UAI and LTO. However, there was a total disagreement about the impact of PDI. This study is expected to provide a better understanding of the national culture and occupational safety relationships, thereby guiding decision-makers in policy development and regulation related to occupational safety.