Perception of just culture among staff in a research organization

Purpose Just culture emphasizes fair treatment and accountability, promoting open communication and continuous learning, which are essential in research settings. Therefore, this study aims to examine the perceptions of just culture and explored factors associated with higher perception scores among research center staff. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study targeted research center staff at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In addition, the study used the Just Culture Assessment Tool to measure the perception of just culture. Findings The study achieved a response rate of 79%, with many participants being permanent contract holders (81.9%) and Saudi nationals (65.3%). Results indicated that while many staff (80.6%) found the reporting system user-friendly and believed in the benefits of incident reporting, 42.7% felt discomfort discussing incidents with supervisors. Factors such as female gender, Saudi nationality, permanent contract type and experience with work-related incidents were associated with higher perception scores in the univariate analysis ( P < 0.05). Originality/value These findings highlight areas for improvement, particularly in fostering open communication. Interventions like mandatory training workshops for leadership could enhance the reporting culture, promoting transparency and a shared understanding of just culture principles. This study provides a foundation for future initiatives aimed at improving organizational culture and integrity within research settings.