The Effect of Psychological Safety in Accelerators
Master thesis
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https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3038827Utgivelsesdato
2022Metadata
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- Master of Science [1618]
Sammendrag
This master thesis aims to understand how psychological safety affects teaming in
accelerator programmes. We outline that accelerators represent the current
paradigm shift of building teams while building businesses, coined as teaming.
Collaborating members in accelerator programmes are confronted with not only
business but personal opportunities and risks. Psychological safety in a team
increases members’ feeling of security to speak up. Despite the associated benefits,
little is known on the effect of psychological safety in accelerators.
We conducted a qualitative exploratory study of two independent accelerator
programmes with semi-structured interviews of members of each programme’s
cohort. Our findings reinforce the perspective of psychological safety being an
intermediate link between the collaborative work environment characteristics, and
individual behaviour, such as motivation, and team learning. The accelerator
programme structure affects teaming and psychological safety, directly affecting
perceived programme value. We identify two structural elements of significant
influence: investments in participants, and the appointment of a point of contact for
founders. In interpreting our findings, we sharpen the understanding of power
structures and inclusive leadership behaviour in accelerators, and their influence on
the establishment of psychological safety. Based on our serendipitous finding that
teaming is a goal in itself in accelerator programmes, we argue that the research
stream of teaming complements the existing research on accelerators and their
structure. We emphasise the essential role of psychological safety in accomplishing
the goal of accelerating entrepreneurial ventures. Understanding psychological
safety’s effects on teaming in accelerators may bring us closer to understanding the
importance of establishing a safe work environment among temporary,
collaborative individuals.
Keywords: Psychological Safety; Teaming; Accelerator; Accelerator Programme;
Team Learning; Learning Behaviour; Temporary Collaboration; Intensity; Work
Environment; Founders; Mentors; Programme Managers; Inclusive Leadership;
Power Structures; Entrepreneurial Ventures
Beskrivelse
Masteroppgave (MSc) in Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Handelshøyskolen BI, 2022