A cross-sectional and mixed-method assessment of safety culture and safety climate at a regional airline

Author

Micah S. Walala, Purdue University

Date of Award

5-2016

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Aviation Technology

First Advisor

Richard O. Fanjoy

Committee Chair

Richard O. Fanjoy

Committee Member 1

Godzem Kilaz

Committee Member 2

Gary J. Notham

Committee Member 3

Carney Q. Thomas

Abstract

The researcher applied a mixed methods approach to conduct a cross-sectional assessment of the safety culture, safety climate, and SMS at a regional airline in the United States. Data collection techniques were comprised of interview, on-line-survey, and a focus group activity. Participants in the current study were maintenance technicians, flight attendants, dispatchers, pilots, and managers. Results indicated significant differences of perception of safety climate, safety culture, and Safety Management System between the maintenance technicians and flight attendants. The length of time a participant had worked at the subject airline and age of the participant appeared to be significant factors of perception of safety climate. The ASAP safety program appeared to be the most positively perceived safety program across all the studied groups. Participants expressed a general positive outlook of safety at the subject airline. Elements of concern highlighted included routine violation and senior management being out of touch with frontline employees. The researcher presents recommendations for practice and future research

Recommended Citation

Walala, Micah S., "A cross-sectional and mixed-method assessment of safety culture and safety climate at a regional airline" (2016). Open Access Dissertations. 723.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_dissertations/723