sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Sustainable Safety Culture in Manufacturing Enterprises

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 3150

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Production Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: production engineering; technology; energy; production management; mining; renewables; human-machine relation; virtual reality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: safety; management; occupational and safety training; ergonomics

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Economics and Informatics Department, Organization and Management Faculty, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: Industry 4.0; Smart City; quality management; AI in management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of an effective, safe, and healthy work environment is a crucial element for the success of manufacturing enterprises. Sustainable management of safety culture has emerged as a fundamental component of management strategies in many countries. International initiatives, for instance, highlight the importance of developing and maintaining the highest safety standards in the workplace.

The management of safety culture encompasses various competencies and research areas, including risk assessment, education and training, safety audits, and the implementation of modern technology. It also involves crafting safety management strategies tailored to the specific needs and challenges of manufacturing organizations. Each of these research areas demands continuous innovation and investigation to ensure the highest possible levels of workplace safety.

This Special Issue aims to gather research on multiple facets of safety culture management within manufacturing enterprises. Contributions will employ diverse methodologies, such as case study analyses, literature reviews, empirical research, and technological applications. By assembling this body of work, we strive to enhance the understanding of the challenges manufacturing companies face and the sustainable management of safety culture.

We encourage researchers and practitioners from various disciplines to contribute to this topic, fostering advancements in our knowledge of sustainable safety culture management in manufacturing. This effort aligns with the broader goal of promoting sustainable practices across all aspects of industrial operations, consistent with the mission of the Sustainability journal to support research that drives sustainable development and societal well-being.

The primary focus of this Special Issue is on the sustainable management of safety culture within manufacturing enterprises. This encompasses the creation and maintenance of a work environment that is not only effective but also safe and healthy. Emphasis is placed on the integration of safety culture into management strategies, highlighting the importance of achieving high safety standards through sustainable practices. This Special Issue seeks to explore various dimensions of safety culture management, including risk assessment, education and training, safety audits, and the adoption of modern technologies, with the ultimate goal of ensuring optimal workplace safety.

The current literature on sustainability frequently emphasizes environmental and economic dimensions, but often overlooks the integral role of workplace safety in a holistic sustainability framework. This Special Issue will broaden the understanding of sustainability by incorporating the dimension of safety culture management within manufacturing enterprises. By focusing on how sustainable practices in safety culture contribute to long-term operational success, this Special Issue will provide a more comprehensive view of sustainability that includes human and organizational factors.

While there is a wealth of theoretical research on sustainability, practical applications in the context of safety culture management are less explored. This Special Issue will contribute empirical evidence and case studies that illustrate how theoretical concepts of sustainability can be implemented in real-world manufacturing settings. This bridging of theory and practice will offer valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners, facilitating a deeper understanding of how sustainability principles can be effectively applied to enhance workplace safety.

Sustainability literature often remains siloed within specific disciplines, such as environmental science, economics, or social sciences. This Special Issue will promote interdisciplinary research by bringing together perspectives from various fields related to safety culture management. This approach will foster a more integrated understanding of sustainability that encompasses environmental, economic, and social dimensions, ultimately contributing to a more holistic view of sustainable development.

This Special Issue will also serve as a resource for policymakers and strategic planners by highlighting successful case studies and best practices in safety culture management. By presenting research that links safety culture with sustainability objectives, this Special Issue will offer actionable insights and recommendations for developing policies and strategies that promote both safety and sustainable development.

Dr. Kinga Stecuła
Dr. Patrycja Kabiesz
Prof. Dr. Radosław Wolniak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable safety culture
  • safety culture management
  • eco-efficient manufacturing
  • safe and sustainable work environments
  • sustainability in occupational health
  • green safety practices
  • workplace safety
  • integrated safety and sustainability
  • long-term safety solutions
  • sustainable safety management strategies
  • resource-efficient safety technologies
  • environmental and safety compliance
  • safety training and education
  • safety audits
  • modern technology in safety
  • industrial safety
  • innovations and safety

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 596 KiB  
Article
Managerial Competence in Integrating Industry 4.0 with Corporate Social Responsibility for Enhanced Safety Culture in Manufacturing
by Alain Patience Ihimbazwe Ndanguza
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4678; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104678 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 196
Abstract
The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives offers transformative potential for enhancing safety culture in manufacturing. This study investigates how managerial competence facilitates the alignment of tools like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big [...] Read more.
The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives offers transformative potential for enhancing safety culture in manufacturing. This study investigates how managerial competence facilitates the alignment of tools like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data analytics with CSR principles to foster sustainable safety practices. Employing a qualitative methods approach with secondary data from 2010 to 2024, including case studies of some of five leading firms (Siemens, General Electric, Toyota, Bosch, and Ford) and a systematic literature review, this analysis uses thematic and statistical techniques. The results show that strategic integration significantly reduces workplace hazards by 30–50%, boosts employee engagement, and enhances operational efficiency through real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and CSR alignment. Managerial competence, encompassing strategic vision, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement, is critical for aligning these domains, delivering enhanced safety, sustainability, and competitive advantages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Safety Culture in Manufacturing Enterprises)
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 2686 KiB  
Article
Safety Culture in SMEs of the Food Industry: A Case Study and Best Practices
by Patrycja Kabiesz
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11185; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411185 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2238
Abstract
This article highlights the importance of developing a sustainable safety culture as an important component of the long-term development of manufacturing companies, especially in SMEs. A sustainable safety culture combines principles in favor of protecting the health and lives of workers with sustainable [...] Read more.
This article highlights the importance of developing a sustainable safety culture as an important component of the long-term development of manufacturing companies, especially in SMEs. A sustainable safety culture combines principles in favor of protecting the health and lives of workers with sustainable development principles, while improving operational and environmental performance. The aim of this study was to identify best practices, challenges, and strategies for implementing this type of culture in manufacturing companies. A mixed-methods approach was used, including quantitative surveys, in-depth interviews, case study analysis, and field observations at selected companies. This research was conducted at two food companies from Poland. The findings indicate that the successful implementation of a sustainable safety culture relies on strong leadership, employee engagement, pro-active risk management, and continuous process improvement. Additionally, this article discusses major challenges, such as resistance to change, financial constraints, and regulatory complexity. Ultimately, this article provides practical recommendations for industry leaders developed from the research findings to support long-term efficiency and safety in manufacturing organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Safety Culture in Manufacturing Enterprises)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop