Trait, state or artefact? Assessing experts’ regulatory focus in nuclear power plant control

Abstract

We apply the theory of regulatory focus in the field of nuclear power plant (NPP) control. The first pilot study was conducted at the German simulator centre for NPPs. Here, we tested the influence of accident training lessons on the experts' regulatory focus. In a second study, we tested and validated two chronically regulatory focus questionnaires to decide which measurement would be more suitable for future research. The Work Regulatory Focus scale was translated into German, and the Regulatory Concerns Questionnaire was adapted to a work environment. The combined evidence of both studies shows that the regulatory focus of the experts does not change during the training lessons. Study 2 shows that both questionnaires were able to adequately measure the regulatory focus, but that they produce artificially contradictory outcomes that could be misleading. Recommendations and considerations for using the questionnaires are provided. Theoretical and practical implications on the influence of experts' regulatory focus on working and decision-making behaviour using standard procedures in NPP control are given.