Beyond the Horizon of Fear: A Multidimensional Framework for Psychological Safety and Innovation in the 21st Century
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This conceptual review develops an integrated research agenda for psychological safety and innovation, extending the foundational work of Amy C. Edmondson. It advances eight complementary lenses: the Neuropsychological Safety Framework (NPSF), Temporal Dynamics Model of Psychological Safety (TDMPS), Cross-Cultural Psychological Safety Adaptation Framework (CCPSAF), Digital Psychological Safety Framework (DPSF), Innovation-Safety Dialectic Framework (ISDF), Multilevel Emergence Model of Psychological Safety (MEMPS), Ethical Innovation Through Psychological Safety (EIPS) framework, and Complexity-Adaptive Psychological Safety (CAPS) framework. The synthesis connects social appraisal, longitudinal change, cultural context, digitally mediated interaction, accountability, multilevel emergence, ethical voice, and complexity. It distinguishes established empirical associations from proposed mechanisms, including conditional innovation effects and possible physiological mediators. Seven figures provide conceptual illustrations rather than newly measured effect sizes. Research priorities include longitudinal multilevel designs, cross-cultural measurement invariance, ethically governed digital trace research, and experimental evaluation of accountability and voice interventions. The contribution is a testable, context-sensitive framework for leaders seeking to support candid dialogue, rigorous learning and responsible innovation without equating psychological safety with comfort or freedom from performance standards.
Author: TAN, Kwan Hong
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225609736
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