The influence of management commitment, safety training and safety communication on safety compliance in a Malaysia's manufacturing industry

This study explores the organizational determinants that influence safety compliance within Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, with a focus on three key variables: management commitment, safety training, and safety communication. Safety compliance defined as adherence to occupational safety and health (OSH) standards. It is essential in reducing workplace risks and safeguarding employee wellbeing. Despite Malaysia's established regulatory framework, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2022 Amendment and initiatives led by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), workplace accidents in the manufacturing industry remain persistently high. This raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current safety compliance practices. What sets this study apart is its integrated approach, analyzing the combined effects of management support, training quality, and communication clarity factors typically examined in isolation in previous research. Additionally, this study is situated within the context of Malaysia’s modular housing manufacturing sector, offering a rare and context-specific insight into safety behaviors in a high-risk, yet under-researched industrial niche. By drawing from Social Exchange Theory, the research further contributes theoretically by explaining how reciprocal relationships between employees and organizations foster compliance behaviors. The study adopts a quantitative, cross-sectional design, collecting data via a structured online questionnaire. The survey uses a five-point Likert scale to assess perceptions of the selected variables. Statistical analyses, including correlation and multiple regression, are employed to examine the interrelationships among them. The findings are expected to generate practical recommendations for OSH practitioners and industry leaders, especially in tailoring safety strategies that align with organizational behavior and cultural dynamics in Malaysia. By bridging empirical evidence with local industrial realities, this research not only addresses existing literature gaps but also invites readers to consider new perspectives on cultivating sustainable safety compliance in manufacturing environments.