Enhancing Safety and Crisis Management Through Adaptive Leadership in Complex Construction Engineering Projects

This study investigates the influence of adaptive leadership on crisis management effectiveness in complex construction engineering projects in Saudi Arabia. Adaptive leadership was conceptualized through six core dimensions: Flexibility in Decision-Making, Emotional Intelligence, Leader-Follower Communication, Problem-Solving Adaptability, Resilience in Leadership, and Fostering Collaboration. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of these leadership dimensions on crisis response effectiveness and safety outcomes within the high-risk, dynamic environment of the Saudi construction sector. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among managerial and supervisory personnel across major engineering and construction firms in Saudi Arabia. A total of 183 valid responses were obtained using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicated that five adaptive leadership dimensions—Flexibility in Decision-Making, Emotional Intelligence, Problem-Solving Adaptability, Resilience in Leadership, and Fostering Collaboration—had significant positive effects on crisis management effectiveness. However, Leader-Follower Communication did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with crisis outcomes. The findings contribute theoretical value by validating an adaptive leadership framework tailored to engineering project crises. Practically, the study underscores the importance of enhancing leadership flexibility, emotional intelligence, and collaborative engagement to strengthen crisis responsiveness and project continuity in Saudi construction firms. Recommendations include the development of targeted leadership training programs and the integration of digital technologies to support adaptive decision-making in real-time crisis conditions, resulting in better Safety and Crisis Management. Although, study limitations include reliance on self-reported data and the context-specific focus on the Saudi construction sector, which may affect generalizability, the findings are contextualized through comparison with international literature to support broader relevance.