The issue of occupational safety in contemporary societies is an indicator of the progress and advancement of people, and occupational safety rules in factories are among the important matters that factory owners must provide, follow up, develop their work, and evaluate their procedures periodically to preserve the safety and lives of workers, so that they can perform their tasks better. [1] Therefore, a set of rules has been established within the framework of the law to achieve occupational safety and health, occupational safety rules, occupational safety goals, and occupational safety steps. One of the most important reasons for choosing this field is that occupational safety and health have become involved in all areas of life. For example, when dealing with electricity and household appliances, it is essential to follow general safety requirements, and you must also read the manual for the devices to be used when dealing with electricity, and also when driving your car, you will not dispense with following traffic safety rules such as (guidance signs, obligating everyone in the vehicle to fasten their seat belt, and adhering to the specified speed), as safety always comes first. Everyone is constantly striving to activate this principle in order to achieve the desired integration in sharing knowledge of accidents and risks that are expected to occur, and then knowing the reasons for the increased chances of their occurrence and thus reducing the likelihood of their occurrence, leading to increasing productivity by combining reducing losses and increasing safety in the work environment.

The research methodology in scientific research is one of the basic matters that clarify the foundations and methodology of the methods followed in the study, as it represents the methodological plan adopted by the researcher to reach the desired results and answer the research questions. Given the importance of the topic addressed by the study, which is related to enhancing occupational safety in vital facilities through knowledge sharing, the researcher relied on an accurate and comprehensive methodology that enables the collection and analysis of data in ways that ensure the reliability and validity of the results. From this standpoint, a combination of research methods was chosen that suit the nature of the study and its objectives. The researcher relied on the descriptive analytical approach that helps understand and analyze the relationship between knowledge sharing and expected improvements in occupational safety, by describing the current reality in vital facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition, the researcher used the documentary approach to review previous literature and related studies, which enhances the understanding of the theoretical framework of the study and contributes to building an effective proposed model to enhance occupational safety. . [2]

Moreover; Data collection tools are vital elements in this article, as a robust questionnaire was designed and directed at workers in vital facilities, including specific questions covering the four axes of the study: production efficiency, improving the work environment, improving spending, and enhancing occupational safety. Personal interviews were also used to obtain deep insights from experts and supervisors in the field of occupational safety, which ensures the comprehensiveness of the data and contributes to enhancing the accuracy of the analysis. In this article, the researcher will explain in detail the methods of data collection and analysis, while clarifying the scientific foundations for selecting the sample and designing the research tool, to ensure a realistic and objective representation of the phenomena studied. This approach aims to provide a solid foundation that contributes to verifying the study hypotheses and reaching fruitful recommendations that enhance the application of occupational safety practices in vital facilities.

The results of the study were comprehensively analyzed to answer the research questions related to the impact of knowledge sharing on improving production efficiency, work environment, spending and rationalization, and occupational safety in vital facilities. The results showed that knowledge sharing has multiple and significant effects on these four dimensions, providing strong evidence of the importance of activating sharing mechanisms to enhance institutional performance in a sustainable manner. . [3]  The high relative weights obtained from the questionnaire analysis indicate a broad consensus among participants on the importance of knowledge sharing as a key element for improving institutional performance. The relative weights ranged between 83.0% and 90.0% across the various axes, which enhances the reliability of the collected data and shows the extent of the impact of knowledge sharing on achieving tangible results in work environments. 

Testing the study hypotheses

A. There is a statistically significant relationship between knowledge sharing and improving occupational safety in vital facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

B. There is a statistically significant relationship between knowledge sharing and improving production efficiency in vital facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

C. There is a statistically significant relationship between knowledge sharing and improving the work environment in vital facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

D. There is a statistically significant relationship between knowledge sharing and improving and rationalizing spending in vital facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

To test the study hypotheses, a one-sample t-test was conducted at an average of 3.5 for the four study axes, and the results came as shown in Table No. 8 and Figure No. 5. . [4]

Table 1. Results of one-sample T-test at mean 3.5 for the study axes

Table 8 shows the results of the one-sample t-test for each of the study axes, where the study hypotheses were tested at an average of 3.5, reflecting a desire to evaluate the strength of the relationship between knowledge sharing and improvement in various aspects within vital establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. . [5] The results showed a very high t-value in all axes, indicating that the arithmetic means of the axes significantly exceed the reference average of 3.5. As for the first axis, which tests the relationship between knowledge sharing and improving production efficiency, it achieved an arithmetic mean of 4.34 with a standard deviation of 0.427, with a t-value of 23.84 and a significance level of 0.000, indicating a strong relationship and high statistical significance. Likewise, the second axis, related to improving the work environment, showed an average of 4.33 and a t-value of 25.69, reflecting a positive impact of knowledge sharing in improving the work environment within establishments. The third axis, which discusses improving and rationalizing spending, confirms the same trend with close results with an average of 4.29 and a "t" value of 22.62, indicating that knowledge sharing plays an important role in improving and rationalizing spending aspects. As for the fourth axis, related to improving occupational safety, it recorded an average of 4.32 and a "t" value of 23.54, highlighting the existence of a statistically significant relationship between knowledge sharing and enhancing occupational safety in establishments. All results that showed a significance level of 0.000 strengthen the strength of the relationship between knowledge sharing and improving the various aspects mentioned, which supports the acceptance of the four hypotheses of the study, and confirms the importance of the role of knowledge sharing as a basic element in improving performance, safety and rationalization in vital establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. . [6] 

Figure 1. Arithmetic averages for the different study axes

Figure 1 shows that the first axis, which focuses on the relationship between knowledge sharing and improving production efficiency, had the highest arithmetic mean of 4.34, reflecting participants’ awareness of the importance of knowledge sharing as an effective means of improving productivity and increasing operational efficiency in institutions. It was followed closely by the second axis, which deals with improving the work environment, with an arithmetic mean of 4.33, highlighting the impact of knowledge sharing in creating a supportive work environment that contributes to enhancing interaction between employees and improving their performance. On the other hand, the fourth axis, which studies the relationship between knowledge sharing and improving occupational safety, shows an arithmetic mean of 4.32. . [7]  This high mean indicates that participants largely agree that knowledge sharing enhances occupational safety standards and contributes to reducing accidents and injuries in the work environment. In contrast, the third axis, related to improving and rationalizing spending, had the lowest arithmetic mean of 4.29, which may reflect some challenges in achieving direct financial savings through knowledge sharing, despite participants’ awareness of the importance of this aspect in improving the financial efficiency of institutions. In general, the results show that all study axes obtained high arithmetic averages, ranging between 4.29 and 4.34, which enhances the importance of knowledge sharing as a basic element for improving institutional performance in all its aspects. These results emphasize the need to adopt effective participatory strategies to disseminate and exchange knowledge among employees to achieve the goals of institutions in a sustainable and effective manner. . [8]

1. The Suggested Model

The current questionnaire tool was used, which included the four axes of the study mentioned in addition to the aggregate axis, which is knowledge sharing, and the linear model for multiple regression was built as shown in Table No. 9. . [9]

Table 2. Multiple linear regression model for enhancing occupational safety in critical facilitiesthrough knowledge sharing.

The results of the multiple linear regression show the significance of the effect of the study axes on knowledge sharing, as the significance level values ​​reached 0.000 for all axes, which is a significant value at less than 0.05. Accordingly, the multiple regression line equation can be used, which represents the enhancement of occupational safety in vital facilities through knowledge sharing, and it can be statistically generalized to all future studies:

Thus, the final equation becomes:

The model is finalized using all the principles mentioned above.

The survey results also showed that enhancing knowledge sharing processes contributes significantly to improving production efficiency, as the arithmetic mean for this axis reached 4.34, reflecting broad agreement among participants on the importance of knowledge sharing in developing production plans and directing efforts towards achieving the organization's goals with higher efficiency. The high relative weights, which ranged between 85.3% and 90.0%, indicate the impact of knowledge sharing in improving practical procedures and reducing errors, which in turn leads to raising productivity levels in establishments. These results show that improving production efficiency depends primarily on implementing effective strategies for disseminating and exchanging knowledge among workers. The results also showed that knowledge sharing plays a pivotal role in improving the work environment, as the arithmetic mean for this axis reached 4.33. The relative weights, which reached 89.7% in some paragraphs, show that knowledge sharing contributes to enhancing understanding and communication among workers and creating a cooperative work culture that supports better decision-making. The results also indicated that knowledge sharing contributes to reducing accidents by raising workers' awareness of potential risks and ways to prevent them, which is positively reflected in employee satisfaction and improving relations between different departments. Participants also pointed out the importance of having performance measurement models related to knowledge sharing to improve and stabilize the work environment, as the relevant paragraphs showed high relative weights that enhance the importance of these models. . [10]

Moreover, the results of the questionnaire showed a significant impact of knowledge sharing on spending efficiency in establishments, as the arithmetic mean for this axis reached 4.29. The high relative weights, which ranged between 79.9% and 88.9%, highlight the importance of exchanging knowledge and expertise in better directing financial resources, avoiding waste, and using modern technology to reduce costs. The results indicated that knowledge sharing contributes to improving resource management by developing strategic plans that seek to achieve financial sustainability and reduce expenses associated with operational risks. The strong relative weights show participants’ awareness of the importance of the role of knowledge sharing in achieving financial savings and enhancing the economic efficiency of the institution.

Finally, the results of the study showed that enhancing knowledge sharing in work environments leads to raising the level of awareness of the importance of safety procedures, as the arithmetic mean for this axis reached 4.32. The high relative weights of 88.8% in the items related to preventive measures show that disseminating and implementing occupational safety knowledge contributes to reducing injuries and reducing work-related risks. Participants indicated that effective training programs and clear policies play a pivotal role in promoting occupational safety standards. The results highlight a consensus among participants that investing in safety knowledge protects human capital and enhances efficient business continuity.

Overall, the survey results and the high relative weights show strong agreement among participants on the importance of adopting effective knowledge sharing strategies in organizations. These strategies enhance organizations’ ability to compete and achieve strategic goals efficiently, and contribute to providing a supportive and safe work environment that helps maintain and develop human resources. These results confirm that knowledge sharing is a critical factor in achieving comprehensive and sustainable improvements in organizational performance.

Based on the achieved results, the study proposes an integrated performance measurement model that links knowledge sharing to improving occupational safety in establishments. The model is based on three main axes: collecting and analyzing knowledge related to occupational hazards and methods of prevention, designing effective mechanisms for disseminating this knowledge among workers through training programs and periodic reports, and evaluating the impact of applying the acquired knowledge on safety indicators such as reducing accidents and injuries. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as the percentage of recorded accidents, the level of employee satisfaction with the work environment, and the extent of compliance with preventive measures are used to measure the effectiveness of this model. The results showed that enhancing knowledge sharing processes clearly contributes to improving production efficiency, developing the work environment, and enhancing occupational safety standards within establishments. This positive impact supports the ability of establishments to achieve their strategic goals with greater efficiency, enabling them to compete effectively in the labor market. The results also emphasize the importance of investing in effective knowledge sharing strategies, not only to improve institutional performance, but also to enhance the sustainability of human resources, and create a safe and cooperative work culture that ensures the safety of workers and supports business continuity.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

No funding sources

The study was approved by the King Abdul-Aziz University – Jeddah – Saudi Arabia

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