The relationship between management commitment, safety knowledge, safety motivation and safety performance among Malaysian Army crews

Accidents occuring during work are among the contributing factors to the high rate of injuries among workes in Malaysia, particularly in the construction and manufacturing industries. Such incidents have also involve the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), affecting personnel, equipment and valuable assets which could impact the overall readiness and national defense strategies. This study was conducted in relation to aspects of compliance with safety and health in the environment of the crew of armoured vehicles of the Army. The research design employed was descriptive and cross-sectional. A quantitative approach was used, involving a questionnaire survey conducted among members of the Third Regiment of the Royal Armor Corps (3 KAD). A total of 169 sets of questionnaires were distributed to obtain data for this study and analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 29 software through descriptive analysis and pearson correlation analysis. Feedback from the results of the study basically shows that there is a significant positive relationship between Management Commitment, Safety Knowledge and Safety Motivation with Safety Performance to maintain and improve the safety of armoured vehicle crews in 3 KAD. The findings imply that to enhance safety performance among armoured vehicle crews, organizations should prioritize visible management commitment by consistently supporting safety initiatives, allocating adequate resources, and strictly enforcing safety policies to build a culture of trust and accountability. Additionally, improving safety knowledge through structured training and continuous learning opportunities can better equip soldiers to identify hazards and follow proper procedures. Strengthening safety motivation by reinforcing the value of safe behavior and recognizing proactive safety actions can further encourage soldiers to adhere to safety protocols and actively minimize operational risks. This study provides clear evidence that Management Commitment, Safety Knowledge, and Safety Motivation play significant roles in shaping the Safety Performance of armoured vehicle crews.