How Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Influence Decision Makers
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 12-2018 Philosophia Soteria: How Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Influence Decision Makers Daniel Jay Snyder University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Health Communication Commons, Health Services Administration Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, and the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons Citation Snyder, D. J. (2018). Philosophia Soteria: How Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Influence Decision Makers. Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3140 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Philosophia Soteria: How Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Influence Decision Makers A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning by Daniel Jay Snyder University of Northern Iowa Bachelor of Arts in Science, 1993 University of Arkansas Master of Education in Adult Education, 1997 December 2018 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. ______________________________ Kit Kacirek, Ed.D Dissertation Director ______________________________ ______________________________ Michael Miller. Ph.D Jack DeVore, Ph.D Committee Member Committee Member Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify ideas about how occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals influence decision-makers on matters impacting occupational health and safety management systems. A modified nominal group technique was used that involved 67 participants in ten nominal groups and identified the most important ideas about how OSH professionals can influence workplace safety and health decision making. The research produced themes of communication, scientific, professionalism, leadership, adaptability, and business acumen that resulted in six domains of occupational safety and health professional influence. ©2018 by Daniel Jay Snyder All Rights Reserved Acknowledgements This dissertation is dedicated to the Great Architect of the universe and to all personal, academic and professional acquaintances whose influence continually transforms my world view: helping me see and know through the logical lens of science; whimsical appreciation of art; rational ethics; and a wanderlust for learning and realization of love and happiness in truth. With deep appreciation and sincerity, I am forever grateful for all the sages, scholars, scientists, soldiers, pathfinders, poets, colleagues, cohorts, partners, friends, lovers, liars, ruffians and thieves along the path of self-actualization. The learnings from these many Mentors, Nemeses, and Muses inspire me to achieve potential, explore capabilities, think freely and quest for knowledge like Atlas supporting the globe; like Prometheus igniting the enlightenment flame; like Venus inspiring a troubadour’s passion; like the three pillars of Deity that are wisdom, strength and beauty. Thank you for providing the supporting strength to fearlessly know myself, endeavor to learn lifelong, and to perpetually strive to be a better man, a servant leader, an adaptive facilitator of philosopher kings and queens. Dedication In deepest dedication to my wife, son, and daughter for your support, strength, patience, pride and love. Forever pieces of you give meaning to the love in my heart. I pray for you to follow your dreams, finding happiness along this journey of life. To my educator parents, I am grateful for the life lessons of learning as a teacher’s kid. To my steadfast brother for always being there no matter what I did. To my gardener Grandma Rene for the patient appreciation of natural beauty and the art of a green thumb. To GeeGee for her consummate empathy, guidance, faith and inspiration to always seek peace, love and happiness in my life to come. To all my wonderful family for unconditional love. A special dedication to my great grandmother Edna Christinia Tennant Anderson, with whom I share the same birthday and burning passion for knowledge and wisdom. We were celebrating another year on our special one day together: me 23 years old and you a century. Here in the now, our thoughts were lucid and hearts free. With pure love and amazement, I said “I wish to know all that you know MoMo, from all you have seen in your day”. We leaned into each other like we always did, she gently cupped my face in her hands and stroked my cheek. Our eyes searching deep into each other’s souls, in suspension between the well and wishes we sought. On bated breath, I waited to witness her sage reply, then with a warm smile, a deep releasing sigh, and a glitter twinkle of passion flashed in her mind’s eye. She spoke reflective words like a Siren of Socrates, her voice softly sang, pervasively resonating in my mind to this very day. “For I know nothing my dear son, but from stagecoach to space shuttle I have seen. All of that is nothing compared to the life time you will know and see. The future is yours to seize, live your life happy and follow your dreams. Go now, become the man I know you are destined to be”. One peaceful night, in a perfect celestial moment during one of her vivid dreams, the universe called my beloved MoMo home at age 101. She was the most incredible lifelong learner I have ever known. Table of Contents Overview of Problem ................................................................................................................ 1 Background of the Study .......................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Purpose .......................................................................................................... 3 Research Question .................................................................................................................... 4 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 4 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 4 Assumptions .............................................................................................................................. 6 Terms and Definitions............................................................................................................... 6 Delimitations and Limitations................................................................................................... 7 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 10 Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Review of the Related Literature ............................................................................................ 11 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 11 Summary of Search Strategies and Terms .............................................................................. 12 Philosophical Framework ....................................................................................................... 12 Context of OSH Decision Making .......................................................................................... 22 The OSH Management System ......................................................................................... 26 The Organizational OSH Culture ...................................................................................... 30 The OSH Professional and Cultural Maturity in Organizations ....................................... 32 Decision Processes ............................................................................................................ 36 Problem Solving................................................................................................................ 40 Themes of OSH Professional Influence .................................................................................. 45 Communication Theme ..................................................................................................... 58 Scientific Theme ............................................................................................................... 68 Professionalism Theme ..................................................................................................... 74 Leadership Theme ............................................................................................................. 87 Adaptive Theme ................................................................................................................ 97 Business Theme .............................................................................................................. 102 Summary of the Literature Review ....................................................................................... 111 Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................