Virtual reality enhances safety training in the maritime industry: An organizational training experiment with a <scp>non‐WEIRD</scp> sample

Objective Many industries struggle with training dynamic risk assessment, and how to bridge the gap between safety behavior in real life scenarios. In this article, we focus on assessment during a mooring operation investigate potential value of using immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations compared standard procedures an international maritime organization. Methods pilot study, two ways implementing VR simulation (stand-alone or post-simulation reflection) manual personal trainer condition between-subjects design 86 students school. Based results stand-alone non-Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic (WEIRD) sample 28 seafarers from Kiribati Islands at Results The group reported significantly higher perceived enjoyment (d = 1.28), intrinsic motivation 0.96), learning 0.90), behavioral change 0.88), lower extraneous cognitive load 0.82) group, but differences self-efficacy, attitudes were not significant. Discussion support train that are difficult world suggest technologies can be useful for providing just time anywhere, anytime, global market where employees increasingly cross-cultural dislocated.