Unsafe acts contribute dominantly to construction accidents, and increasing safety behavior is essential to reduce accidents. Previous research conceptualized safety behavior as an interaction between proximal individual differences (safety knowledge and safety motivation) and distal contextual factors (leadership and safety climate). However, relatively little empirical research has examined this conceptualization in the construction sector. Given the cultural background of the sample, this study makes a slight modification to the conceptualization and views transformational leadership as an antecedent of safety climate. Accordingly, this study establishes a multiple mediator model showing the mechanisms through which transformational leadership translates into safety behavior. The multiple mediator model is estimated by the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, using individual questionnaire responses from a random sample of construction personnel based in Hong Kong. As hypothesized, transformational leadership has a significant impact on safety climate which is mediated by safety-specific leader–member exchange (LMX), and safety climate in turn impacts safety behavior through safety knowledge. The results suggest that future safety climate interventions should be more effective if supervisors exhibit transformational leadership, encourage construction personnel to voice safety concerns without fear of retaliation, and repeatedly remind them about safety on the job.

No abstract

Abstract:This research aims to develop indicators for assessing green interior design of new residential buildings in China, grounded in the socio-technical systems approach. The research was carried out through a critical literature review and two focus group studies. The results show that the boundaries of green interior design were identified with respect to three dimensions, namely performance, methodology and stakeholders. The socio-technical systems approach argues for the recognition of the interdependence between the systems elements and the feature of embeddedness. The interdependence of the systems elements exists within each of these three dimensions and across them. It is also found that the socio-technical systems of green interior design are embedded in the social, regulatory and geographic context. Taking interior design of residential buildings as the empirical setting, this study contributes to the literature of green building assessment by presenting a socio-technical systems approach.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Workplace safety in the construction industry of Hong Kong is regulated by a mix of enforcement and performance-based approaches. The two approaches are underpinned by different institutional structures and lead to divergent safety practices. To examine how contractors strategically respond to the complex institutional demands for safety performance, contractors' day-to-day site safety practices were investigated. Safety practice data were obtained from 62 open-ended interviews and project archives in a case study. Different supervision patterns, i.e. enforcement and localized approaches were found to coexist on site. Discrepancies were found between workers' self-reported safety awareness and safety awareness assessed by their supervisors. The evidence suggests that contractors implemented compromise and avoidance strategies. The complex institutional environment, especially the incompatible progress and safety requirements, was found to be a key determinant of mixed site safety practices. Institutional theory is explored as a possible theoretical perspective to explain contractors' safety management strategies. An institutional level change of safety management strategies is suggested.

No abstract