Applying lessons from aviation safety culture in the hospitality industry: a review and road map

Abstract

It is widely accepted that positive safety culture improves organizations’ safety performance and reduces the number of injuries and deaths. Safety culture has been well researched in high-risk industries; however, the hospitality industry until recently had no research of the concept unless related to food safety. This article explores theoretical grounds for research of safety culture in hospitality, based on the aviation safety culture body of knowledge. Using aviation as a foundation is motivated by the similarities in operations between aviation and hospitality, especially when hospitality is compared to other high-risk industries. The article proposes that aviation safety culture models and their dimensions could be valuable for hospitality industry’s safety culture improvements. It’s goal and aspiring contribution is to begin a discussion and build a theoretical base for future research about advancement of safety in hospitality operations and reduction of the industry’s relatively high numbers of employee injuries.