Psychological Safety as a Catalyst for Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing

Adhi Tristan Putranta; Sri Astuti Pratminingsih

doi:10.61987/jemr.v5i5.3212

Authors

Adhi Tristan Putranta Universitas Widyatama Bandung, Indonesia
Sri Astuti Pratminingsih Universitas Widyatama Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v5i5.3212

Keywords:

Psychological Safety, Knowledge Sharing, Innovative Work Behavior, Public Organizations

Abstract

Innovative work behavior is essential for public organizations seeking to improve work processes, service quality, and organizational performance. However, employees’ willingness to propose and implement new ideas may depend on whether they feel psychologically safe and are encouraged to exchange knowledge with colleagues. This study examines the effect of psychological safety on innovative work behavior and investigates the mediating role of knowledge sharing in this relationship. This study employed a quantitative explanatory approach with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 127 employees using saturated sampling and a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS. The results indicate that psychological safety positively and significantly affects innovative work behavior (β = 0.291; t = 3.692; p < 0.001). Knowledge sharing also has a positive and significant effect on innovative work behavior (β = 0.486; t = 6.504; p < 0.001). Furthermore, knowledge sharing significantly mediates the relationship between psychological safety and innovative work behavior (β = 0.328; t = 6.004; p < 0.001), indicating partial mediation. These findings suggest that organizations should foster psychologically safe environments, promote open communication, recognize employee contributions, and establish structured knowledge-sharing practices to encourage workplace innovation.

References

Abdullah, A., & Sukriyah, T. M. (2026). Soft Skill Management in Improving the Quality and Competence of Human Resources in Islamic Junior High Schools. Business and Applied Management Journal, 4(1), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v4i1.2266

Ahmad, I., Gao, Y., Su, F., & Khan, M. K. (2023). Linking Ethical Leadership to Followers' Innovative Work Behavior in Pakistan: The Vital Roles of Psychological Safety and Proactive Personality. European Journal of Innovation Management, 26(3), 755–772. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-11-2020-0464

Ahmed, S. K. (2024). How to Choose a Sampling Technique and Determine Sample Size for Research: A Simplified Guide for Researchers. Oral Oncology Reports, 12, Article 100662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oor.2024.100662

Ahn, J., & Park, J. (2026). The Effect of Empowering Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior Among Employees: Focusing on the Mediating Effects of Psychological Safety and Knowledge Sharing Intention. 역량개발학습연구 (Competency Development and Learning Research), 21(1), 121–153. https://doi.org/10.21329/khrd.2026.21.1.121

AlEssa, H. S., & Durugbo, C. M. (2022). Systematic Review of Innovative Work Behavior Concepts and Contributions. Management Review Quarterly, 72(4), 1171–1208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-021-00224-x

AlMunthiri, O., Bani Melhem, S., Mohd Shamsudin, F., & Al-Naqbi, S. A. (2024). Does Leading with Inclusiveness Promote Innovative Behaviours? Examining the Role of Work Engagement and Psychological Safety. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 32(10), 2468–2493. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-09-2023-4003

Anapah, M. G. I., Al Musadieq, M., & Ruhana, I. (2026). Psychological Mechanisms of Employee Engagement: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Participative Leadership, Work-Life Balance, and the Work Environment in Cooperatives. Business and Applied Management Journal, 4(1), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v4i1.2169

Anisa, L. N. (2026). Reevaluating Divorce Rejection in Indonesia's Religious Courts: Integrating Maqashid Syariah and Human Rights Perspectives. Al-Fiqh: Journal of Contemporary Islamic Law, 2(2), 114–133. https://doi.org/10.61987/fiqh.v2i2.1791

Ardianto, R. E., Setyaningrum, R. P., & Johan, A. (2026). The Dark Side of Green HRM: Multigroup Analysis of Employee Responses to Internal Greenwashing. Business and Applied Management Journal, 4(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v4i1.2034

Arsawan, I. W. E., Koval, V., Rajiani, I., Rustiarini, N. W., Supartha, W. G., & Suryantini, N. P. S. (2022). Leveraging Knowledge Sharing and Innovation Culture Into SMEs Sustainable Competitive Advantage. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71(2), 405–428. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-04-2020-0192

Batara, I., Alam, I. A., Barusman, A. R. P., Defrizal, D., & Helmita, H. (2026). The Moderating Effect of Work Engagement on Organizational Citizenship Behavior Through Psychological Capital: Empirical Evidence From the Higher Education Sector. Business and Applied Management Journal, 4(2), 248–259. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v4i2.2226

Chen, A. S. Y., Bian, M. D., Nguyen, T. K., & Chang, C. H. (2024). From Curiosity to Innovativeness: The Mediating Mechanisms of Cultural Intelligence and Knowledge Sharing Behaviour. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(2), 673–691. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-09-2022-0486

Dermawan, O., & Yusuf, T. K. (2026). Toward Holistic Curriculum Management in Islamic Early Childhood Education: A Framework for Integrated Learning Development. Early Childhood Development Gazette, 3(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.61987/gazette.v3i1.1789

Edmondson, A. C., & Bransby, D. P. (2023). Psychological Safety Comes of Age: Observed Themes in an Established Literature. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10(1), 55–78. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-120920-055217

Elsayed, A. M., Zhao, B., Goda, A. E. M., & Elsetouhi, A. M. (2023). The Role of Error Risk Taking and Perceived Organizational Innovation Climate in the Relationship Between Perceived Psychological Safety and Innovative Work Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1042911. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1042911

Evanita, S., Sari, N., & Fahmi, Z. (2026). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Risk, Customer Experience, and E-Satisfaction in E-Commerce Repurchase Intention. Business and Applied Management Journal, 4(1), 178–193. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v4i1.2186

Fatahillah, R. F., & Adnyani, I. G. A. D. (2025). Pengaruh Knowledge Sharing terhadap Perilaku Inovatif melalui Work Engagement sebagai Variabel Intervening. E-Jurnal Manajemen, 14(12), 1022–1037. https://doi.org/10.24843/EJMUNUD.2025.v14.i12.p07

Gottfried, J. (2024). Practices in Data-Quality Evaluation: A Large-Scale Review of Online Survey Studies Published in 2022. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 7(2), Article 25152459241236414. https://doi.org/10.1177/25152459241236414

Guenther, P., Guenther, M., Ringle, C. M., Zaefarian, G., & Cartwright, S. (2023). Improving PLS-SEM Use for Business Marketing Research. Industrial Marketing Management, 111, 127–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2023.03.010

Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in Second Language and Education Research: Guidelines Using an Applied Example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3), Article 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027

Hill, J., Ogle, K., Gottlieb, M., Santen, S. A., & Artino, A. R., Jr. (2022). Educator's Blueprint: A How-To Guide for Collecting Validity Evidence in Survey-Based Research. AEM Education and Training, 6(6), Article e10835. https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.10835

Lee, S. E., & Seo, J. K. (2024). Effects of Nurse Managers' Inclusive Leadership on Nurses' Psychological Safety and Innovative Work Behavior: The Moderating Role of Collectivism. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 56(4), 554–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12965

Li, T., & Tang, N. (2022). Inclusive Leadership and Innovative Performance: A Multi-Level Mediation Model of Psychological Safety. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 934831. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.934831

Lim, W. M., & Koay, K. Y. (2024). So You Want to Publish in a Premier Journal? An Illustrative Guide on How to Develop and Write a Quantitative Research Paper for Premier Journals. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 43(3), 5–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22252

Manurung, S. A., Iskandar, T., & Thelma, C. C. (2026). Strategic Planning of Early Childhood Education Principals in Enhancing Educational Quality and Institutional Competitiveness. Early Childhood Development Gazette, 3(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.61987/gazette.v3i1.1735

Mehmood, M. S., Jian, Z., Akram, U., Akram, Z., & Tanveer, Y. (2022). Entrepreneurial Leadership and Team Creativity: The Roles of Team Psychological Safety and Knowledge Sharing. Personnel Review, 51(9), 2404–2425. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-07-2020-0517

Migdadi, M. M. (2022). Knowledge Management Processes, Innovation Capability and Organizational Performance. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71(1), 182–210. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-04-2020-0154

Miller, S., & Lengler, J. (2025). Strengthening Quantitative Research in International Business: Best Practices for Methods and Results Sections. Critical Perspectives on International Business. https://doi.org/10.1108/CPOIB-01-2025-0018

Naimah, R., & Sa'diyah, H. (2026). Competency Gap in Graduates and Innovation in Arabic Language Learning in the Global Era. Arabica Edu: Journal of Arabic Language, 1(1), 25–38.

Putri, C. D. B., Karimah, Z., & Leonardo, L. (2026). The Division of Madzhab and the Importance of the Role of Usul Fiqh in Uniting Differences. Al-Fiqh: Journal of Contemporary Islamic Law, 2(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.61987/fiqh.v2i1.995

Rahnjen, D., Oktavio, A., Henryanto, A. G., Kurniawati, A. D., & Adeline, F. (2023). Knowledge Sharing Memengaruhi Innovative Work Behavior Karyawan pada Usaha Kecil dan Menengah (UKM): Peran Organizational Climate sebagai Moderator. JMBI UNSRAT (Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Bisnis dan Inovasi Universitas Sam Ratulangi), 10(1), 220–239. https://doi.org/10.35794/jmbi.v10i1.45910

Saif, N., Goh, G. G. G., Rubin, A., Shaheen, I., & Murtaza, M. (2024). Influence of Transformational Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior and Task Performance of Individuals: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing. Heliyon, 10(11), Article e32280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32280

Salsabila, S., & Rohmah, N. (2026). The Shadow of Legality: A Critical Analysis of Unregistered Marriages (Nikah Siri) in Islamic Jurisprudence. Al-Fiqh: Journal of Contemporary Islamic Law, 2(2), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.61987/fiqh.v2i2.993

Sarstedt, M., & Moisescu, O. I. (2024). Quantifying Uncertainty in PLS-SEM-Based Mediation Analyses. Journal of Marketing Analytics, 12(1), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41270-023-00231-9

Schuler, M. S., Coffman, D. L., Stuart, E. A., Nguyen, T. Q., Vegetabile, B., & McCaffrey, D. F. (2025). Practical Challenges in Mediation Analysis: A Guide for Applied Researchers. Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology, 25(1), 57–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10742-024-00327-4

Septiawan, F. E. (2024). Speak Up to Innovate: How Psychological Safety Drives Innovative Work Behavior Through Knowledge Sharing. Management Studies and Entrepreneurship Journal, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.37385/msej.v5i1.9619

Shabrina, D. N., & Etikariena, A. (2024). An Experimental Vignette Study of How Supervisor Developmental Feedback and Psychological Safety Influence Intention to Innovative Work Behavior in Education Technology Company. Jurnal Psikologi, 20(1), 72–85. https://doi.org/10.24014/jp.v20i1.24970

Suryanto, T., & Halim, A. (2021). Determinants of E-Procurement Effectiveness: Evidence From Local Government in Indonesia. Asian Journal of Accounting Research, 6(2), 178–192. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-06-2020-0046

Ulfa, S. N. Z., & Aldin, F. (2026). Bridging the Gap Between Lab and Life: Exploring Student Perceptions of Community-Based Citizen Science in Bio-Conservation Education. Nusantara EduLearn Journal, 1(1), 1–9.

Wahyuni, A. F., & Fadli, J. A. (2024). Pengaruh Knowledge Sharing terhadap Innovative Work Behavior pada Pegawai Pemerintah Daerah Kota Bekasi. Jurnal EL-RIYASAH, 14(2), 100–117. https://doi.org/10.24014/jel.v14i2.28761

Wang, C., Chen, K., Feng, J., & Chen, J. (2024). Donating or Collecting? Differential Impact Mechanisms of Knowledge Sharing Through Enterprise Social Media on Employees' Innovative Work Behavior. Information Technology & People. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2024-0003

Wibowo, A., & Sari, D. P. (2022). E-Procurement Adoption and Its Impact on Procurement Performance: Evidence From Indonesian Local Governments. Journal of Public Procurement, 22(3), 215–238. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOPP-01-2022-0004

Xu, J., & Wei, W. (2023). A Theoretical Review on the Role of Knowledge Sharing and Intellectual Capital in Employees' Innovative Behaviors at Work. Heliyon, 9(10), Article e20256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20256

Xu, Z., & Suntrayuth, S. (2022). Innovative Work Behavior in High-Tech Enterprises: Chain Intermediary Effect of Psychological Safety and Knowledge Sharing. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 1017121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1017121

Xu, Z., Wang, H., & Suntrayuth, S. (2022). Organizational Climate, Innovation Orientation, and Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Psychological Safety and Intrinsic Motivation. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2022(1), Article 9067136. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9067136