Brunetto, Yvonne, Onnis, Leigh-Ann, Hernandez Grande, Aglae, Farr-Wharton, Ben, Franken, Esme, Blackwood, Kate, Bentley, Tim, and Huuskes, Lee (2026) Using Nudging Methodology to Change Behavior About Work Health Safety Governance Amongst Business and Board Leaders. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 64. e70058.

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Abstract

Against a backdrop of an international policy agenda advocating for prosocial behavior directed toward workers, Australia introduced new Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation in 2023 legally obliging senior management and board directors to mitigate worker harm as far as reasonably practicable. The operationalization of WHS is a key function of Human Resources (HR) within workplaces; however, the degree to which safety can be advanced is largely dependent on senior leadership's prioritization—creating complexity and tension. Indeed, there is minimal evidence regarding how HRM might effectively influence the prioritization of WHS by senior leadership, and the degree to which legislative changes may shift attitudes. Against this backdrop, this paper presents exploratory research underpinned by interviews with 43 business leaders and board directors across a range of sectors, as well as five WHS experts, exploring underlying attitudes toward WHS and worker safety. The findings identify that business drivers are more likely to promote change in WHS business practices if they have the knowledge and tools to assist them. Accordingly, from the analysis we propose a multi-pronged approach is required to educate and motivate senior leaders to shift their mindset toward prosocial WHS behavior in line with the international policy agenda and standards. The research also identified a lack of knowledge about educational and monitoring tools, especially for the board of directors, which future policy and implementation practices should address.

Item ID:	89865
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1744-7941
Keywords:	Work Health and Safety, policy and practice, legal compliance, prosocial values, strategic intent
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
Funders:	Centre for Work Health & Safety NSW (CWHS)
Projects and Grants:	CWHS RE_093
Date Deposited:	20 Jan 2026 02:05
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350503 Human resources management @ 30% 35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350505 Occupational and workplace health and safety @ 70%
SEO Codes:	15 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 1503 Management and productivity > 150302 Management @ 100%
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