Science Mapping the Knowledge Domain of Construction Workers’ Safety Behavior

Abstract

The examination of construction workers’ safety behavior (CWSB) is a critical factor in mitigating the occurrence of construction accidents. This study conducted a scientometric and critical review of 3280 CWSB-related articles indexed in the Web of Science database. Scientometric analyses (e.g., co-authorship, co-word, co-citation, citation-burst analysis, and clustering) objectively visualized the current research landscape, while the critical review identified key research topics and challenges within the CWSB research. The findings reveal that over half of CWSB research originates from three countries: the USA, China, and Australia. Concurrently, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the City University of Hong Kong, and the University of Michigan stand out as the most productive institutions in the CWSB domain. It is noteworthy that China shows a high burst strength in 2022–2023, indicating that the development of the CWSB field in China is gaining global attention. The terms ‘performance’, ‘model’, and ‘management’ appear with the highest frequency, while keywords such as ‘deep learning’ and ‘simulation’ have experienced an increase in citations in recent years. Furthermore, 13 co-citation clusters were identified, with cluster analysis and critical reviews converging on three principal research themes: ‘conception and dimension’, ‘critical influence factors’, and ‘emerging technologies’. This study also proposes three research gaps and potential avenues for future investigation, including a comprehensive understanding of CWSB impact mechanisms, the long-term efficacy of safety interventions, and the incorporation of novel technologies into safety programs. This review offers valuable insights into extant CWSB research and pinpoints emerging trends within this research area. It provides essential information for industry policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in the global CWSB context and assists stakeholders in identifying and comprehending trends and patterns.