Implications of integrating safety and social responsibility in selected construction companies in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper focuses on the implications of integrating safety and social responsibility initiatives at the organizational level in five selected construction companies in Nigeria. The research question addressed the extent to which integration of safety and social responsibility is dependent on the safety management system and its implications on improved corporate performance (improved productivity, good corporate governance, improved stakeholders relations and reduced accident/incident rate) in the selected construction companies. It assumes that the practice of safety in Nigerian construction companies must move beyond the mere business aspects of safety and focus on how safety management demonstrates good corporate governance and social responsibility by promoting benefits and values that address all stakeholders in the construction industry. An exploratory cross-sectional survey research design was used in conducting the study using questionnaire administered on 396 randomly selected respondents from the five selected construction companies. The questionnaire responses were presented using tables, analyzed using simple percentages while formulated hypotheses were tested using chi-square (χ 2 ). The results indicated that integration of safety and social responsibility is to a large extent dependent on the safety management system and better corporate performance (improved productivity, good corporate governance, and improved stakeholders’ relations and reduced accident/incident rate) is to a large extent dependent on the integration of safety and social responsibility. The study concludes that integrating safety and social responsibility in construction activities results in better corporate performance. The study therefore recommends among others adoption of a systems approach to safety management that links safety and social responsibility in construction companies using ISO 26000, holding top management accountable for safety and communicating safety value to corporate stakeholders.