When Fear Silences Innovation: How Passion for Work Protects Performance Under Terror Threats

What is it about?

This study explores how employees’ fear of terrorism can undermine their job performance, and how personal passion for work can help counter this effect. Grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the research examines whether fear-induced stress drains employees’ motivational resources, leading them to withdraw from championing innovative ideas—a proactive behavior that normally enhances performance. Using three-wave, time-lagged data from employees and their supervisors in Pakistan, the study finds that fear of terror reduces job performance because employees become less likely to advocate for new ideas or seek support for their initiatives. This loss of engagement reflects a resource-conservation response to fear and uncertainty. However, the study also finds that passion for work moderates this relationship: employees who are highly passionate about their jobs are less likely to suppress their championing behavior and maintain better performance even when concerned about terrorism. For organizations, the results highlight a critical mechanism by which external threats can spill over into the workplace, reducing creativity and initiative. By cultivating employees’ intrinsic passion, providing psychological safety, and reinforcing supportive communication, organizations can mitigate the paralyzing effects of fear and maintain innovation and performance.

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Photo by ev on Unsplash

Photo by ev on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is unique in connecting terror-related fear with workplace innovation and performance, showing that the suppression of idea championing is a key pathway linking fear to reduced outcomes. It also underscores passion for work as a powerful personal resource that protects against this decline. Conducted in Pakistan, where terrorism threats have periodically affected the workforce, this study is timely in illustrating how broader societal insecurities influence organizational life. It provides actionable insights for HR managers and leaders aiming to sustain motivation and creativity under conditions of uncertainty and fear.