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When and why voice to higher-up? Declaring the psychological mechanisms of subordinate’s voice behavior in the public sector

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  • Khawaja Asif Tasneem
  • Zonghe Zhang
  • Sirui Sun

Abstract

Based on the leadership-member exchange perspective, this study proposes that subordinates are more likely to express their voice in a leader-supported work environment, and this relationship is stronger when they have close social ties with their supervisor. In the case of subordinates supported by supervisors, public service motivation serves as a psychological mechanism to promote them to express voice behavior. This study also explains the boundary effect of the supervisor-subordinate’s guanxi perspective in affecting supervisor support and subordinate’s voice behavior. A longitudinal survey of 136 front-line public officers has been conducted to check this theoretical model in China, and their data verified the moderated-mediation model results. Implications for management theory and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Khawaja Asif Tasneem & Zonghe Zhang & Sirui Sun, 2023. "When and why voice to higher-up? Declaring the psychological mechanisms of subordinate’s voice behavior in the public sector," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0285104
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Millissa Cheung & Wei-Ping Wu & Allan Chan & May Wong, 2009. "Supervisor–Subordinate Guanxi and Employee Work Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 88(1), pages 77-89, April.
    2. Wu, Chia-Huei & Parker, Sharon K., 2017. "The role of leader support in facilitating proactive work behaviour: a perspective from attachment theory," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 57311, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Linn Van Dyne & Soon Ang & Isabel C. Botero, 2003. "Conceptualizing Employee Silence and Employee Voice as Multidimensional Constructs," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1359-1392, September.
    4. Bangcheng Liu & Xiaoyi Zhang & Lanying Du & Qi Hu, 2015. "Validating the Construct of Public Service Motivation in For-profit Organizations: A preliminary study," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 262-287, February.
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