Impact of Leadership Styles on Safety Compliance in Pakistan Railways Mechanical Workshops: Mediating Role of Organizational Safety Culture

Abstract

Safety management in railway systems was increasingly recognized as a multidimensional challenge shaped not only by technical systems but also by organizational and human factors. This study investigated the relationship between leadership styles and safety compliance in mechanical workshops of Pakistan Railways, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of organizational safety culture. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, targeting 200 to 300 workshop employees including engineers, technicians and supervisors. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), a Zohar-based safety culture scale, and the Safety Compliance Scale by Neal and Griffin (2006). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, incorporating correlation, regression, and mediation analysis (PROCESS Model 4). The study found that transformational leadership positively influenced safety culture, which in turn enhanced safety compliance. The findings contributed to safety science literature by integrating leadership and safety culture within a single mediation framework in a developing country context. Practically, the research offered insights for improving leadership development, strengthening safety culture, and enhancing compliance in high-risk mechanical environments.