This study employs an interpretive approach to examine fire fighters’ firehouse communication as it contributes to safety culture. The International Communication Association Communication Audit (ICA CA) short answer section was used to collect the written comments and short stories of 225 firefighters.  This study examines the dominant themes of Fire Fighters’ discourses and offers insight into the impact of organizational discourses on safety culture.The study demonstrates that organizational communication is a key component of safety culture.

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An Interpretivist Analysis of Safety Culture: Discourses of a Smoldering Fire Department

Kathryn Toelken*
Assistant Professor, Communication Department, University of South Alabama, 1000 University Commons, Alabama.
Periodicity:June - August'2012
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.7.1.1901

Abstract

This study employs an interpretive approach to examine fire fighters’ firehouse communication as it contributes to safety culture. The International Communication Association Communication Audit (ICA CA) short answer section was used to collect the written comments and short stories of 225 firefighters.  This study examines the dominant themes of Fire Fighters’ discourses and offers insight into the impact of organizational discourses on safety culture.The study demonstrates that organizational communication is a key component of safety culture.

Keywords

Communication Audit, Safety Culture, Organizational Communication, Emergency Management, Fire Fighters, HRO.

How to Cite this Article?

Kathryn Toelken (2012). An Interpretivist Analysis Of Safety Culture: Discourses Of A Smoldering Fire Department. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 7(1), 23-32. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.7.1.1901

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