University of Twente Student Theses
As of Friday, 8 August 2025, the current Student Theses repository is no longer available for thesis uploads. A new Student Theses repository will be available starting Friday, 15 August 2025.
Observed Psychological Safety in Agile Teams : A Comparison Across Cultures and Conflict Management Effectiveness
Veltkamp, M.S.M. (2025) Observed Psychological Safety in Agile Teams : A Comparison Across Cultures and Conflict Management Effectiveness.
|
PDF
1MB |
| Abstract: | To remain competitive many organisations have shifted from traditional to Agile methodologies. Key characteristics of Agile organisations, such as speed, adaptability and self-management, allow them to thrive in unpredictable and fast- changing environments. However, for Agile teams to function effectively, a strong foundation of psychological safety is essential. Most research on psychological safety relies on self-reported measures, limiting objectivity. Addressing this gap, this study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data and video-recorded team meetings to examine verbal and non-verbal behavioural indicators of psychological safety in mono- and multicultural Agile teams with varying levels of conflict management effectiveness. Teams with higher conflict management effectiveness displayed more frequent and longer-lasting behaviours indicative of psychological safety, while exhibiting fewer behaviours associated with low psychological safety. Multicultural teams demonstrated higher levels of silence behaviours, and fewer voice and familiarity behaviours compared to monocultural teams, suggesting that cultural diversity may create communication barriers affecting psychological safety. Although not statistically significant, these patterns provide meaningful insights. This study contributes to the literature by offering an objective, behaviour-based assessment of psychological safety and presents practical implications for Agile coaches and organisations aiming to foster psychological safety, especially in culturally diverse teams. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | International Business Administration BSc (50952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106904 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page