Impact of Organizational Identification and Psychological Safety on Initial Perceptions of Coworker Trustworthiness

Abstract

Initial trustworthiness perceptions serve as anchored reference points for subsequent trust perceptions and associated behavioral choices in organizations. Examining the relationship between the employee and the organization is an underexplored influence on such perceptions. This study is an investigation of how perceived psychological safety (PS) in the work environment and level of organizational identification (OI) influence initial perceptions of others’ trustworthiness. Data were obtained through survey and scenario methods from a sample of high-potential managers (n = 155) during participation in a leadership development training course. Results demonstrate that both disposition to trust and PS have positive relationships with initial perceptions of others’ trustworthiness. There is also a significant negative moderating effect of OI on the relationship between psychology safety and perceived trustworthiness. PS has a strong positive significant relationship with initial perceptions of others’ trustworthiness when OI is low. This relationship is non-significant when OI is high. This study provides evidence that the relationship between the employee and the organization can influence individual perceptions of initial trustworthiness in others. Aspects of the relationship between the trustor and the organization have not previously been considered as influences on initial trustworthiness perceptions. PS, often investigated as a direct influence on learning and performance, has not been previously examined as a socialized influence on trustworthiness perceptions.