Do cultural dimensions predict prevalence of fatal work injuries in Europe?

• Published in: Safety science 2013-10, Vol.58, p.76-80
• Main Authors: Reniers, Genserik, Gidron, Yori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cultural dimensions; Fatal occupational accidents; Fatal work injuries; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Occupational medicine; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Statistical modeling
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2013.03.015

•Cultural differences between similar countries independently predict future risk of fatal work injuries.•The cultural dimensions Power Distance Index and Individualism are both significantly correlated with fatal work injuries.•Self-leadership and transformational leadership successfully decrease fatality numbers in countries and organizations. Work injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Yet, countries differ dramatically on the prevalence of fatal work injuries (FWIs). Are these differences only a function of national economies and infrastructure or also related to entrenched cultural differences? This study tested whether the cultural dimensions of Hofstede, assessed in the 1970s, predict recent FWI in 22 European countries. We hypothesized that Power-Distance Index (PDI) and Masculinity would be positively correlated with FWI, while Individualism and Uncertainty Avoidance (UA) would be inversely correlated with FWI. We obtained the Hofstede cultural dimensions from Hofstede’s online data, and obtained data on prevalence of FWI as well as national income and alcohol consumption. Results revealed that PDI was indeed positively and significantly correlated with FWI (r=0.611, p