Why employees speak up

Unveiling motives for constructive voice

Bibliographic Data

ID21696149
AuthorsMary Kiura (0000-0002-2513-5783), Rebecca B Leach (0000-0002-0606-9549)
Year2024
Volume28
Issue4
Pages573-587
Publication date2024-11-11
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Communication Management (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1363-254X • E-ISSN: 1478-0852
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/jcom-11-2023-0124
OpenAlexW4399615547
LanguageEN
References cited48

Purpose The study empirically explores employees' motives for engaging in constructive voice behaviors. Design/methodology/approach The authors utilized qualitative research methods. The data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 26 workers in the renewable energy industry in Kenya. The data were analyzed using a phronetic iterative approach (Tracy, 2020). Findings The data revealed various motives that may drive constructive voice including, personal (e.g. material rewards and emotional gratification), relational (e.g. advocating for others and diluting opposition) and organizational motives (e.g. ensuring organizational survival and bolstering innovation). Additionally, the authors illustrated how these motives may evolve and/or jointly drive constructive voice. Originality/value Although voice scholars are beginning to recognize the existence of other motives besides prosocial, the knowledge of such motives has remained theoretical. This is one of the first studies to empirically examine motives for constructive voice. By unveiling the motives, the findings demonstrate different pathways through which a voice opportunity transforms into a constructive voice behavior

Constructive · Creativity · Gratification · Originality · Political science · Prosocial behavior · Public relations · Sociology · Computer Science · Cultural Differences and Values · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Management and Organizational Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology

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