Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1 PhD. Student of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Economics, Science and Research University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management, Dana Non-profit Higher Education Institute, Yasouj, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Science and Research, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Purpose: Employee safety and health is a key and influential concept in the industry. This concept, within the framework of human resource maintenance systems and organizational safety and health, has the potential to minimize the risks faced by organizations, managers, employees, and even society. It also provides the groundwork for the organization's human capital to experience a desirable level of overall well-being, leading to job satisfaction and improved performance. With this premise in mind, the present study aims to design an appropriate model for employee safety and health with a human capital management approach in the oil industry of Iran.
Design/ methodology/ approach: This research is interpretive in terms of its paradigm and applied in terms of its objective. The research strategy is qualitative in terms of the execution process, utilizing the grounded theory method and the Strauss and Corbin approach for data collection. The research strategy is exploratory in nature and inductive in its logic. To implement these research methods, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted purposefully by the researcher. These interviews involved 15 managers and experts in the field of safety and health in the oil industry, as well as academic experts in human resources. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The validity of the qualitative research was assessed using the Lincoln and Guba method, and its reliability was confirmed through the test-retest method. The data analysis process in the grounded theory approach began with open coding, followed by axial and selective coding. It is noteworthy that the study sample was drawn from the southern oil-rich regions.
Research Findings: Based on the data derived from the interviews and their qualitative analysis using the grounded theory method, 641 open codes, 50 axial codes, and 23 selective codes were identified. These codes were used to categorize causal factors, the central phenomenon, contextual factors, intervening factors, strategies, and outcomes, ultimately leading to the development of the employee safety and health model. Thus, the causal, intervening, and contextual conditions for employee safety and health were determined. The results also indicate that through the three stages of strategic management—strategy analysis, strategy formulation, and strategy implementation—employee safety and health strategies were identified. Furthermore, the model's outcomes, including reduced safety incidents, improved health and safety, enhanced materials and equipment development, improved workplace safety and health, and ultimately, improved environmental safety and health, were highlighted. Therefore, by applying and implementing the resulting model, it is expected that a significant portion of the risks and hazards related to employee safety and health can be mitigated. Additionally, the human capital in the human resource maintenance system and their workplace and environmental conditions will witness growth and development, leading to the advancement of the oil industry and the improvement of societal conditions.
Limitations & Consequences: Among the limitations of this research was the difficulty in accessing sample members for specialized interviews. Additionally, the lack of similar research in this area and the existence of only quantitative studies without qualitative investigation posed challenges. Regarding implications, this study, by employing a qualitative approach, attempts to fill the theoretical and conceptual gaps to the extent possible.
Practical Consequences: The application of this model will lead to improved employee safety and health, with threats identified and mitigated. Furthermore, hazardous materials will be identified and categorized, and the safety and health of both internal and external organizational environments will be enhanced. Moreover, the results of this research, owing to the grounded theory method, can be generalized to other industries and organizations.
Innovation or value of the Article: To date, no research has been conducted to improve employee safety and health using a qualitative research approach based on grounded theory, nor has an appropriate paradigmatic model been provided to managers in the oil industry.
Paper Type: Original Paper
Keywords