Methodology of Safety Behavior Management from a Cross-Culture Perspective

Abstract

Global growth in the mining industry is driving the demand for innovative industrial processes, skilled labor, and advanced management capabilities that are aimed at improving productivity. However, these advancements have also made mining one of the most high-risk and unpredictable sectors worldwide. Despite the implementation of risk management strategies, large-scale mining projects often fail due to unrecognized or underestimated risks. This study addresses these challenges by exploring a systematic risk assessment and safety management approach in the mining sector, using Nouvelle Gabon Mining in Gabon as a case study. We analyze the dispersion of identified risks and uncertainties that are often overlooked in traditional safety frameworks. Through a hierarchical classification of hazards, we illustrate the risk impacts across various operational levels. Advanced decision-making techniques, including multiple criteria ranking with alternative trace (MCRAT) and perimeter similarity (RAPS), are employed and tested against multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches to assess their effectiveness in hazard control. In addition, this study integrates a cross-cultural perspective, examining how cultural dimensions such as individualism vs. collectivism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance influence safety behavior, compliance, and risk perception. By analyzing safety behaviors across diverse cultural settings, we find that culturally adaptive safety management strategies significantly enhance compliance and reduce incident rates. Drawing on data from high-risk industries like mining, construction, and manufacturing, our research emphasizes the importance of incorporating cultural considerations into safety management frameworks to create safer workplaces globally. Furthermore, we propose an early warning model for manganese mining hazards based on an optimized adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), designed to predict and control risks at multiple levels within Gabon’s manganese mines, offering a robust, data-driven tool for hazard management and global safety improvement. Key strategies for improving safety management include cultural sensitivity in safety training, cross-cultural leadership styles, and the cultural adaptation of safety communication. First, safety training should be tailored to align with cultural norms and values to improve engagement and adherence to safety protocols across diverse employee groups. Second, leadership approaches must be adapted to cultural differences, aligning communication and motivation strategies to foster an inclusive and effective safety culture. Lastly, safety communication methods should be customized to cultural contexts, using visual aids and storytelling for high-context cultures, while employing clear, direct written communication for low-context cultures.