Impact of Institutional and Legal framework on OSH-Examining various institutional and Legal Regime outcomes on safety Culture

Abstract: Occupational safety and health (OSH) remains a critical determinant of employee well-being, organizational productivity, and national development. This study examines the impact of institutional and legal frameworks on OSH, focusing on how these regimes influence safety culture within organizational settings. Drawing on Institutional Theory, Regulatory Compliance Theory, and the Safety Culture Model, the study explores the extent to which institutional coordination, enforcement mechanisms, and legal adequacy affect safety attitudes and compliance behavior. A mixed-methods design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide both statistical and contextual insights. Quantitative data from 250 employees and safety officers across key industries were analyzed using multiple regression, while qualitative data from 30 key informants were examined through thematic analysis. The results revealed that institutional and legal framework variables collectively explained 52% of the variance in safety culture outcomes. Institutional coordination and inspection efficiency emerged as the strongest predictors, followed by legislative enforcement and legal adequacy. The findings highlight that well-coordinated institutions, consistent enforcement, and modernized laws significantly enhance safety culture maturity, whereas weak institutional capacity and outdated legislation hinder sustainable OSH performance. The study concludes that a robust, harmonized institutional and legal system is essential for fostering a proactive safety culture and ensuring effective OSH governance. Practical recommendations include strengthening institutional coordination, modernizing OSH legislation, improving inspection resources, and enhancing stakeholder awareness to promote safety compliance and employee well-being.