Building Safe Online Spaces: How Collective Identity Shapes Psychological Safety in OCoPs

Online communities of practice (OCoPs) facilitate learning and knowledge sharing among members, but their success depends on psychological safety (PS) – a shared perception of safety for interpersonal risk-taking. In OCoPs, PS is often compromised due to geographic dispersion and weakened social bonds which can reduce trust and cohesion. This study explores how community collective identity, or members' shared sense of belonging, identity and purpose, influences PS. It also examines three factors – community collective efficacy, community distinctiveness, and inclusive leadership – as potential moderators enhancing this relationship. We argue that community collective identity positively influences PS by enhancing solidarity, reducing conflicts, and promoting collaboration which are critical for creating a psychologically safe environment. To explore these relationships, the study surveys OCoP members from three enterprises using validated scales. Data will be analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) to better understand how to enhance PS in OCoPs.