Using benevolent leadership to improve safety behaviour in the construction industry: a moderated mediation model of safety knowledge and safety training and education

Objectives. Despite extensive regulatory reform, safety research and safety programmes over the past several decades, the construction sector remains notoriously dangerous in different regions across the world. Despite the fact that effective leadership is crucial for improving workplace safety behaviour (SB), there have been insufficient studies on how benevolent leadership (BL) affects such behaviour. Methods. Using a cross-sectional design, this research examines the influence of BL on employees’ SB. The mediating role of safety knowledge and the moderating role of safety training and education were also observed. Data obtained from 413 employees of construction firms in Turkey were used to verify the links. Results. BL has positive influences on employees’ SB and safety knowledge. Safety knowledge has a positive influence on SB and partially mediates the BL–SB link. At a low level of safety training and education, the BL–safety knowledge link is weaker for firms whose employees receive low safety training and education. At high levels of safety training and education, both the direct and indirect links between BL and SB are stronger for firms with high levels of safety training and education. Conclusion. The findings significantly extend safety literature through the lens of implicit followership theory.