PhD candidate Frank Naboulsi, from the International Executive School, has published compelling new research on how Egyptian workers understand and experience psychological safety in the workplace. The study was co-authored with Dr. Zina Kyriakou and Dr. Adama Ndjol Kouyaté.

Psychological safety research has long been grounded in Western, individualist frameworks, leaving its relevance across cultures underexamined. Naboulsi and colleagues’ study steps into this gap, exploring how workers across diverse occupational sectors in Egypt make sense of feeling safe at work.

The research reveals a relational, dignity-centred understanding of psychological safety, one rooted in familial belonging, collective care, and the cultural value of karama (dignity and honour). Participants described feeling safe not simply as the absence of risk, but as the presence of genuine recognition and validation of their voice and contribution. In doing so, the study challenges the universality of dominant, individualist models of psychological safety and contributes fresh insight to cross-cultural organisational psychology.

We congratulate Frank Naboulsi on this meaningful contribution to organisational psychology scholarship, and take pride in supporting research that deepens our understanding of workplace wellbeing across cultures.

Reference: Naboulsi, F., Kyriakou, Z., Kouyaté, A.N., Gangai, K.N., Moe, A.M., & Tun, M.M. (2026). Psychological Safety as a Cultural Construct: Employees’ Meaning-Making in Egyptian Workplaces. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 14(3), 084-099.