Modeling the important organizational factors of safety management system performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between safety culture and the organizational identity of safety management system (SMS), in order to provide more awareness of how airline employees perceive organizational identity and safety culture as they successfully implement SMS. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual path model analysis is tested using data analysis research design. Findings – The findings show that safety culture has been strengthened as the result of the implementation of a SMS. Furthermore, the loyalty factor of organizational identity is found to positively and significantly predict the performance of SMS through safety culture. Practical implications – This paper is intended to provide some introductory perspectives on how to successfully apply safety culture and the supporting organizational identity for implementing SMS, as well as guidance about the areas in which airlines must improve if they wish to reduce accidents and incidents. Originality/value – The questionnaire survey is designed to form perceptions of flight crews and helps to maintain a focus on the key persons in aviation safety management.