The impact of culture on psychological safety in hybrid teams

Abstract

This study investigates how national cultural dimensions influence psychological safety perceptions in global hybrid teams, addressing a critical gap in organizational behavior literature that assumes universal safety expressions. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research combined quantitative survey data from 387 culturally diverse professionals with qualitative interviews to examine the intersection of Hofstede's cultural dimensions, psychological safety, and organizational outcomes across various hybrid work arrangements. The findings reveal that psychological safety is not culturally universal, with cultural group membership explaining 25.3% of variance in safety perceptions (η² = .253, p < .001). Contrary to Western assumptions, power distance demonstrated a significant positive relationship with psychological safety (β = 0.530, p = 0.012), suggesting that structured hierarchies can enhance safety for certain cultural groups. Work environment emerged as a critical factor, with remote work showing strong positive correlations with psychological safety (r = .581, p < .001) and very large effect sizes (η² = .375). The combined impact of psychological safety and cultural factors explained 40.5% of team performance variance, highlighting significant business implications. The research introduces the concept of "safety fault lines", cultural disparities that fragment team collaboration, and extends psychological safety theory by demonstrating its cultural contingency. Practical implications include the need for organizations to abandon one-size-fits-all approaches in favor of culturally adaptive interventions such as mentorship programs, ritualized communication structures, and inclusive technology strategies. This research provides essential theoretical advancement and practical guidance for fostering inclusive, high-performing global teams in an increasingly hybrid work environment.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Supervisor	Naomi DALE (Supervisor) & Raechel JOHNS (Supervisor)