Bibliometric analysis of safety culture studies in the aviation sector using VOSviewer
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background. Safety culture is critical for preventing accidents and ensuring sustainability in high-risk aviation. While theories emphasize human-system interactions, fragmented literature obscures the field's intellectual evolution.
Aim. This study aims to reveal the intellectual structure, thematic trends, and the evolutionary trajectory of the aviation safety culture studies through a bibliometric analysis.
Method. Bibliometric analysis mapped the literature’s development and structure using Web of Science data. A search on January 5, 2026 retrieved 830 publications (1977–2026), filtered by document type and language. The dataset was analyzed with descriptive statistics and VOSviewer, including co-authorship, co-occurrence, citation, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and country, institution, and keyword analyses.
Findings. Research is primarily concentrated in aeronautical engineering and transportation fields. Citation analyses identify the USA as the most influential country and Johns Hopkins University as the most cited institution. Keyword analysis shows that the research focus has historically been rooted in technical and engineering fields, but has evolved into a multidisciplinary structure where human factors, patient safety, and fatigue stand out as key concepts.
Conclusion. Aviation safety culture has evolved into a human-oriented socio-technical domain. The findings highlight the necessity of cross-sectoral benchmarking between aviation and healthcare, providing practical implications for managers to implement proactive fatigue risk management systems.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Abstract 562
- PDF 200
References
Adjekum, D. K., & Tous, M. F. (2020). Assessing the relationship between organizational management factors and a resilient safety culture in a collegiate aviation program with safety management systems (SMS). Safety Science, 131, 104909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104909 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104909
Arruda, H., Silva, E. R., Lessa, M., Proença Jr., D., & Bartholo, R. (2022). VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 110(3), 392–395. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1434 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1434
Aven, T. (2014). What is safety science? Safety Science, 67, 15–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2013.07.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2013.07.026
Bandura, A. (1978). The self system in reciprocal determinism. American Psychologist, 33(4), 344–358. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.33.4.344 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.33.4.344
Bukar, U. A., Sayeed, M. S., Razak, S. F. A., Yogarayan, S., Amodu, O. A., & Mahmood, R. A. R. (2023). A method for analyzing text using VOSviewer. MethodsX, 11, 102339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102339 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102339
CANSO. (2008). Safety culture definition and enhancement process. https://www.dhmi.gov.tr/Lists/SsdHavaTrafikSbMd_KurumsalBilveDoc/Attachments/124/Safety%20Culture%20Definition%20and%20Enhancement%20Process.pdf
Cooper, M. D. (2000). Towards a model of safety culture. Safety Science, 36, 111–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(00)00035-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(00)00035-7
Cox, S., & Flin, R. (1998). Safety culture: Philosopher’s stone or man of straw? Work & Stress, 12(3), 189–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678379808256861 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02678379808256861
de Castro, B. L., Gracia, F. J., Tomás, I., & Peiró, J. M. (2017). The safety culture enactment questionnaire (SCEQ): Theoretical model and empirical validation. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 103, 44–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2017.03.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2017.03.018
DeJoy, D. M. (2005). Behavior change versus culture change: Divergent approaches to managing workplace safety. Safety Science, 43(2), 105–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2005.02.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2005.02.001
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
Filho, A. P. G., Andrade, J. C. S., & Marinho, M. M. de O. (2010). A safety culture maturity model for petrochemical companies in Brazil. Safety Science, 48(5), 615–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2010.01.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2010.01.012
French, A. R., & Geller, E. S. (2008). Creating a culture where employees own safety (pp. 1–15). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253349981_Creating_a_Culture_Where_Employees_Own_Safety
Guldenmund, F. W. (2000). The nature of safety culture: A review of theory and research. Safety Science, 34(1–3), 215–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(00)00014-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(00)00014-X
Hale, A. R. (2000). Culture’s confusions. Safety Science, 34(1–3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(00)00003-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(00)00003-5
Hollnagel, E. (2014). Safety-I and safety-II: The past and future of safety management. CRC Press. https://www.taylorandfrancis.com/books/9781315607511
Hopkins, A. (2006). What are we to make of safe behaviour programs? Safety Science, 44(7), 583–597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2006.01.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2006.01.001
Hudson, P. (2007). Implementing a safety culture in a major multi-national. Safety Science, 45(6), 697–722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2007.04.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2007.04.005
Larouzee, J., & Le Coze, J. C. (2020). Good and bad reasons: The Swiss cheese model and its critics. Safety Science, 126, 104660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104660
Liao, M. Y. (2015). Safety culture in commercial aviation: Differences in perspective between Chinese and Western pilots. Safety Science, 79, 193–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.05.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.05.011
Patriarca, R., Bergström, J., Di Gravio, G., & Costantino, F. (2018). Resilience engineering: Current status of the research and future challenges. Safety Science, 102, 79–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2017.10.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2017.10.005
Provan, D. J., Woods, D. D., Dekker, S. W. A., & Rae, A. J. (2020). Safety II professionals: How resilience engineering can transform safety practice. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 195, 106740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2019.106740 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2019.106740
Rasmussen, J. (1997). Risk management in a dynamic society: A modelling problem. Safety Science, 27(2–3), 183–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(97)00052-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(97)00052-0
Reason, J. (1998). Achieving a safe culture: Theory and practice. Work & Stress, 12(3), 293–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678379808256868 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02678379808256868
Robertson, M. F. (2016). Safety professional’s perception of the relationship between safety management systems and safety culture. Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1137 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1137
Rodrigues, S. P., Van Eck, N. J., Waltman, L., & Jansen, F. W. (2014). Mapping patient safety: A large-scale literature review using bibliometric visualisation techniques. BMJ Open, 4, e004468. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004468
Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational culture and leadership (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass. https://ia800805.us.archive.org/9/items/EdgarHScheinOrganizationalCultureAndLeadership/Edgar_H_Schein_Organizational_culture_and_leadership.pdf
Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2023). VOSviewer manual. https://www.vosviewer.com/documentation/Manual_VOSviewer_1.6.20.pdf
Wiegmann, D. A., & Shappell, S. A. (2000). The human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS). https://commons.erau.edu/publication/737
Wiegmann, D. A., Zhang, H., Von Thaden, T. L., Sharma, G., & Gibbons, A. M. (2004). Safety culture: An integrative review. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 14(2), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327108ijap1402_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327108ijap1402_1
Yang, C.-C., Wang, Y.-S., Chang, S.-T., Guo, S.-E., & Huang, M.-F. (2009). A study on the leadership behavior, safety culture, and safety performance of the healthcare industry. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(5), 546–553. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1062282
Zhou, Z., Goh, Y. M., & Li, Q. (2015). Overview and analysis of safety management studies in the construction industry. Safety Science, 72, 337–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.10.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.10.006