Abstract
Preoccupation with failure constitutes one of the most prominent characteristics of high-reliability organizations. However, we know very little about its antecedents and, particularly, the role of leadership in determining organizations’ preoccupation with failure. As such, the present study examines the relationship between authentic leadership and preoccupation with failure. Using social exchange theory, we attempt to shed light on this association's underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions. More specifically, we highlight psychological safety as a mediator and supervisor organizational embodiment as a moderator in the authentic leadership-preoccupation with failure relationship. Data from a diverse sample of 329 US employees provided support for most of our hypotheses. Authentic leadership is positively related to preoccupation with failure through psychological safety. Moreover, the relationship between authentic leadership and psychological safety is stronger for leaders with higher levels of supervisor organizational embodiment as compared to those with low levels.
Funding:
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by Zayed University, Dubai, UAE [Grant Number: R21037].