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Remember to say “thanks” when rejecting others: the moderating role of leader gratitude expression in the relationship between leader voice rejection and employees’ subsequent upward voice

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  • Yanghao Zhu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Lirong Long

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Yannan Zhang

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Haijiang Wang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

The rejection of employees’ suggestions by leaders is a common occurrence in organizations, yet the extant research is unclear regarding how and when leader voice rejection affects employees’ subsequent upward voice. Based on social information processing theory, this paper examines the mediating roles of voice self-efficacy (VSE) and leader-member exchange (LMX) as well as the moderating role of leader gratitude expression in the relationship between leader voice rejection and employees’ subsequent upward voice. We test these hypotheses by conducting a scenario-based experimental study (N = 190) and a survey study of leader − employee dyads (N = 245). We find that leader voice rejection reduces employees’ subsequent upward voice behavior by reducing their VSE and LMX, while leader gratitude expression moderates not only the direct effects of leader voice rejection on employees’ VSE and LMX but also the indirect effects of leader voice rejection on employees’ subsequent upward voice via VSE and LMX. The theoretical implications and practical implications of these findings are discussed, as are directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanghao Zhu & Lirong Long & Yannan Zhang & Haijiang Wang, 2025. "Remember to say “thanks” when rejecting others: the moderating role of leader gratitude expression in the relationship between leader voice rejection and employees’ subsequent upward voice," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 42(2), pages 531-558, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:asiapa:v:42:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10490-023-09928-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10490-023-09928-y
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