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How does psychological safety foster employee performance? A serial multiple mediation of job crafting and thriving

Jae Young Lee (Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea)

International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior

ISSN: 1093-4537

Article publication date: 21 July 2022

Issue publication date: 10 November 2022

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to explore the underlying mechanism of the relationship between psychological safety and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A serial multiple mediation model that explains the impact of psychological safety on performance via job crafting and thriving at work was proposed and tested using PROCESS macro (Model 6). Data were collected from 320 employees at three different large Korean organizations.

Findings

The results of this study found that job crafting and thriving at work sequentially mediate the relationship between psychological safety and performance. However, the direct effect of psychological safety on performance was found to be nonsignificant. Put differently, psychological safety is unrelated to performance independent of the effects of job crafting and thriving at work.

Originality/value

The present study theoretically contributes to psychological safety research by proposing and testing a serial mediation model that explores the underlying mechanism of the relationship between psychological safety and performance in detail. Practically, this study informs managers about the importance of ensuring a psychologically safe workplace environment and encouraging employees' proactive behaviors to enhance their performance and ability to thrive at work.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank two anonymous reviewers and the editor for their helpful and valuable comments.

Citation

Lee, J.Y. (2022), "How does psychological safety foster employee performance? A serial multiple mediation of job crafting and thriving", International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, Vol. 25 No. 3/4, pp. 98-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-12-2021-0239

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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