The influence of the psychological contract on the safety of performance of construction workers in China

Abstract

Purpose

In the absence of previous work, this study investigates how the psychological contract (PC) influences the safety performance of construction workers in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature is first consulted to obtain a set of PC and safety performance measures that fits the specific situation of construction workers, which is then moderated by five construction experts. A questionnaire survey of 206 workers from 4 different construction sites is followed by a descriptive statistical analysis of the nature of the PC and level of the safety performance of the respondents. Finally, a regression analysis is used to ascertain the level of influence of the PS, and an analysis is made of the influence of PC on safety performance.

Findings

A set of PC and safety performance measures is identified that fits in the construction workers' specific situation. The PC of the respondents is found to be intact and well-performed, and their safety performance is maintained at a high level. Safety performance is highly influenced by the state of the PC, with the three dimensions of safety performance (safety result, safety compliance and safety participation) positively correlated with the three dimensions of the PC (normative, interpersonal and developmental).

Originality/value

Suggestions are made to improve safety production management and safety performance by providing adequate material and economic conditions, helping the workers establish good interpersonal relationships and realize their personal values.

Citation

Li, H., Chen, Y., Zheng, J., Fang, Y., Yang, Y., Skitmore, M., Rusch, R. and Jiang, T. (2024), "The influence of the psychological contract on the safety of performance of construction workers in China", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 1879-1895. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-09-2022-0854