IMPACT OF ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT OF NON- MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES IN A SELECTED APPAREL SECTOR COMPANY IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The aim of this research study is to examine the impact of organizational health and safety practices, specifically management safety practices and job safety, on organizational commitment among non-managerial employees in the apparel sector in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted at an apparel company located in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone, using a structured questionnaire distributed to 240 non-managerial employees. A simple random sampling technique was employed to ensure a representative sample that reflects the diversity in gender, age, educational level, and years of service. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS software, and the study’s findings indicate that management safety practices have a significantly stronger positive impact on organizational commitment compared to job safety. Both management safety practices and job safety are positively correlated with organizational commitment, The results suggest that while safety initiatives are essential in fostering organizational commitment, other factors, such as organizational culture, employee engagement, and job satisfaction, may also influence commitment levels. The study underscores the importance of proactive safety leadership and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that includes not only safety but also elements like communication and employee well-being to enhance organizational commitment. Additionally, the findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of safety management and organizational behavior in developing country contexts, particularly within the apparel sector.