The Impact of Data Literacy on the Job Competency of Occupational Safety and Health Managers

Research Background: With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the accelerated digital transformation across industries, data literacy has emerged as a core competency for occupational safety and health (OSH) managers. In the OSH field, the adoption of smart safety management systems and safety data analytics has expanded the role of data-driven decision-making and the ability to utilize digital tools. Nevertheless, empirical research examining the relationship between data literacy and job competency among OSH managers remains limited. Purpose: This study aims to empirically analyze the effects of data literacy on the job competency of OSH managers, focusing on the differentiated influence of each sub-factor of data literacy on various aspects of job competency. Methods: A total of 122 OSH managers participated in an online survey. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis and multiple regression analysis with Jamovi 2.3. Data literacy was categorized into three sub-factors: data understanding, data collection and decision-making, and data communication. Job competency was categorized into four sub-factors: competency recognition, objective performance, efforts to improve activities, and degree of competency improvement. Results: The findings revealed that the sub-factors of data literacy had distinct effects on specific aspects of job competency. Data understanding had a significant positive effect on competency recognition. Data collection and decision-making significantly influenced competency recognition, objective performance, and the degree of competency improvement. Data communication significantly affected objective performance and efforts to improve activities. These results suggest that data literacy does not uniformly affect all aspects of job competency but rather exerts selective effects depending on the sub-factor. Conclusion: Data literacy plays a differentiated and selective role in enhancing various dimensions of job competency among OSH managers. Therefore, a customized approach is required to strategically develop and strengthen the data literacy components that align with targeted job competency areas. The findings provide useful implications for policy-making and the development of training programs aimed at strengthening the competencies of OSH managers.