The effects of inclusive psychological climate, leader inclusion, and workgroup inclusion on trust and organizational identification

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the effects of an inclusive psychological climate on leader inclusion, workgroup inclusion, and employee outcomes (trust in organization and organizational identification). Leader inclusion and workgroup inclusion are explored as both direct and serial mediators in the psychological climate to outcome relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 336 employees in 55 teams were collected at two time points from an educational media company in China.

Findings

Results from multi-level modeling suggest that, for employees, the inclusive psychological climate to trust relationship has both direct and indirect effects, including a serially occurring indirect effect through leader inclusion and workgroup inclusion. For the inclusive psychological climate to organizational identification relationship, there were only indirect effects, including a serially occurring indirect effect through both leader inclusion and workgroup inclusion.

Research limitations/implications

These results suggest the value of an inclusive psychological climate for setting the stage for more localized inclusion experiences through the leader and the workgroup. These inclusionary work environments promote social exchange as shown by employer trust and social identification with the organization.

Originality/value

This study examines the combined and serial effects of an inclusive psychological climate, leader inclusion, and workgroup inclusion on outcomes that represent a deep connection with the organization (organizational trust and organizational identification).

Citation

Chung, B.G., Shore, L.M., Wiegand, J.P. and Xu, J. (2024), "The effects of inclusive psychological climate, leader inclusion, and workgroup inclusion on trust and organizational identification", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-08-2023-0278