Conceptualization of Senior Management Support to the Safety Management in Aviation Organizations in Turkey

Senior managers are considered to play a major role in successful safety management practices. In this study, the meaning of what senior managers' believe support to safety management means was examined and the components of this support were identified. The qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews from 21 Safety Management System and Compliance Monitoring managers working in Turkish aviation organizations. This qualitative data was then analyzed using the inductive thematic analysis method in the NVivo 10.0 Program. The following six components of senior management's support for safety management were revealed: 1- Demonstrating Effective Safety Leadership, 2- Carrying Out Safety Related Planning Activities, 3- Providing Adequate Resources, 4- Controlling Safety Performance, 5- Strengthening Positive Safety Culture, and 6- Coordinating with Stakeholders. According to the participants, Having a High Safety Commitment, Being Convincing and Building Trust, and Encouraging Other Managers are the most important support components. Allocating necessary financial resources to safety management and strengthening positive reporting culture are also important support indicators. Additionally, it was found that strategic management in aviation organizations should include safety management. In addition, the role of senior management support in the success of contemporary safety management approaches emerged as critical.