Understanding the Influence of Authentic Leadership and Employee-Organization Relationships on Employee Voice Behaviors in Response to Dissatisfying Events at Work

Abstract

This study demonstrates how authentic leadership and the quality of employee-organization relationships (EOR) influence employee behavioral reactions to dissatisfying events at work. We conducted a nationwide survey of 644 full-time employees in the United States. The results from the structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that authentic leadership was positively and directly related to employees’ considerate voice but was not directly associated with other behavioral responses. Additionally, the quality of EOR was found to be a strong mediator between authentic leadership and employee behaviors—particularly in enhancing considerate voice and patience and reducing exit—in the context of dissatisfying workplace events. The implications of developing authentic leadership to build and maintain the quality of EOR are discussed.