Malaysia has limited studies on water safety and drowning risk management. Currently, almost no studies, frameworks, or guidelines applicable to managerial roles at water safety and drowning risk engaging in water activities were identified. Limited studies on managerial roles were also found in the literature review on water safety and drowning risk at recreational areas. Therefore, this study aims to systematically identify a framework of managerial roles in water safety and drowning risk management based on past studies and its impact on improving management effectiveness. This study adopts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach guided by the PRISMA framework, which involves four main phases: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. A total of 319 articles were identified from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and after a systematic screening and evaluation process, 18 articles were selected for analysis. The findings reveal a framework with five main themes/domains, namely personal protective equipment management, safety warning sign management, water risk management, monitoring and training management, and communication management. Further analysis describes how managerial roles are implemented effectively through each domain of the framework. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive synthesis of managerial roles in water safety and drowning risk management systems by integrating multiple dimensions of analysis within a single review. This study contributes to the field of social sciences by providing a structured understanding of current research trends and offering practical insights for managers and policymakers in designing more effective strategies in water safety at recreational areas.
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