Show you the money – firms investing in worker safety have better financial performance: insights from a mapping review

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to (1) investigate the association between companies' investment in occupational safety and their financial performance and (2) discuss the importance of occupational safety to overall performance.Design/methodology/approachOccupational safety is often considered to be a practice that can yield suboptimal return on investment. However, it is not known whether this belief is substantiated by evidence. A mapping review of the eligible research literature (N = 36) regarding firms' investment in occupational safety and their financial performance, published between 1945 and2018, was carried out in the Web of Science database.FindingsBy dispelling myths regarding return on investment associated with occupational safety, the findings of this study underscore financial gains firms can obtain by promoting occupational safety measures in their organizations.Originality/valueThese issues are important because they can help policymakers understand the pressures companies face in terms of occupational safety and financial performance sustainability.