Development and validation of a scale to capture social desirability in food safety culture

The evaluation of food safety culture in a food company is influenced by human factors such as employees' tendency to respond to social desirability - a reflection of respondents' tendency to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others. Building on previous research a self-assessment scale consisting of 18-statements (FSDRS) was developed to capture desirable responding in food safety. Statistical analyses of data collected from 816 North-American food manufacturing professionals revealed that a shortened 14-item version of the FSDRS scale provides a reliable and valid measurement of the extent to which employees deceive themselves. It is concluded that the proposed FSDRS will enrich food safety culture measurement and food safety performance.