Workplace Inclusion and Psychological Safety: A Study of the Mediating Role of Team Dynamics in Multicultural Work Environment

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between workplace inclusion and psychological safety among academic staff in tertiary institutions in Southwest Nigeria, focusing on the mediating role of team dynamics within a multicultural work environment. The specific objectives were to examine the effect of workplace inclusion on psychological safety, assess the influence of team dynamics on psychological safety, determine the effect of workplace inclusion on team dynamics, and evaluate the mediating role of team dynamics. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, targeting a population of 10,553 academic staff across tertiary institutions. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 385 respondents was drawn. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for background information and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for testing hypothesized relationships. Findings revealed that workplace inclusion had a positive but insignificant effect on psychological safety (β = 0.742; t = 1.164; p = 0.073). Similarly, team dynamics exerted a positive but insignificant influence on psychological safety (β = 0.713; t = 0.096; p = 0.186). However, workplace inclusion significantly affected team dynamics (β = 0.435; t = 1.736; p = 0.025), while team dynamics significantly mediated the relationship between workplace inclusion and psychological safety (β = 0.373; t = 1.524; p = 0.041). The study concludes that workplace inclusion, when supported by effective team dynamics, plays a crucial role in enhancing psychological safety in multicultural tertiary institutions.