The Effects of Mutual Inclusiveness between Captains and First Officers on Psychological Safety and Engagement in Flight Safety

Abstract

This research aims at determining psychological elements that influence team coordination between a captain and a first officer in a commercial airline cockpit. It also examines how these elements interact between one another in different cultural settings. We propose that mutual inclusiveness of differential status enhances psychological safety and engagement in safety improvement efforts. Survey results based on 254 airline pilots suggest that status (captain, first officer) and mutual inclusiveness (openness between team members) influence psychological safety and mutual inclusiveness moderates the relationship between status and psychological safety. The results also suggest that psychological safety is positively associated with engagement in safety improvement efforts and also mediates the relationship between mutual inclusiveness and improvement efforts. This research provides insights into antecedents of fostering safety improvement efforts in airline crew teams in which cultural differences and professional hierarchy exist.