Context matters in just culture: Translating formal just culture into lived near-miss reporting experience in maritime transportation

Abstract

In onboard environments characterised by high operational risk, near-miss reporting is an important mechanism for identifying latent risks, preventing accidents and supporting organisational improvement. However, there remains limited empirical understanding of whether the just culture advocated in formal systems can be translated into the lived reporting experience of seafarers who are willing, able and motivated to report near-miss incidents on a sustained basis. To address this issue, this study draws on semi-structured interviews with seafarers and shore-based managers. Six interrelated themes are identified: ease of reporting, motivation to report, trust, reporting independence, feedback and acknowledgement. The findings indicate that near-miss reporting is more likely to occur in organisational contexts where reporting is accessible, safe and worthwhile. Complicated procedures, paperwork burdens and hierarchical pressure weaken seafarers’ willingness to report, whereas simplified procedures, fair management, low exposure communication channels, timely feedback and positive acknowledgement help strengthen reporting willingness and promote experience sharing. This study provides context-specific empirical evidence on how formal just culture is translated into frontline reporting practice and offers practical insights that may inform efforts to improve near-miss reporting, reduce reporting concerns and strengthen closed-loop feedback in comparable organisational or cultural settings.