Bibliometric Analysis of Behavior-based Safety (BBS): Three Decades Publication Trends

Abstract

Behavior-based safety (BBS) has flourished worldwide, with previous researchers extensively verified and provided scientific evidence that BBS was effective for managing risks and preventing injuries. This study aims to examine the bibliometric analysis of BBS publication patterns, research growth, and related publication information. A total of 333 BBS publications from the Scopus database were analyzed from 1989 to 2020. Data were exported to Microsoft Excel, Publish or Perish (PoP), and VOSviewer. This study evaluated data on the global trend of publication, contributions of countries, the encouragement of sources, leading authors, leading institutions, reference analysis, and keywords related to BBS research. Based on bibliometric parameters, this study found inconsistent publication trends in the last three decades. The results showed that BBS publications mainly fixated on engineering and medicine. The influential publication countries were the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Safety Science was the most potent and compelling source. Academicians and professional authors actively engaged in writing BBS articles over three decades. Authors’ keywords of “behavior-based safety”, “safety culture”, “accident prevention”, “safety”, and “organizational behavior management” has substantially impacted the online search for information. This research creates a new paradigm for comprehensive BBS study and intervention to improve future safety performance.