When Is Speaking up Unnecessary and Risky? A Dual-Mechanism Model of Abusive Supervision and Voice

Abstract

We propose and test two voice-specific beliefs (i.e., voice role conceptualization and psychological safety) as mechanisms explaining the effects of abusive supervision on employee voice. Based on the role perception perspective on voice, we argue that abusive supervision is negatively related to voice role conceptualization, an effect mitigated by employees’ perceived deep-level similarity with leaders. Drawing on the risk-taking perspective on voice, we argue that abusive supervision is negatively related to psychological safety, an effect weakened by leader narcissism. A time-lagged survey study of 172 employees supported our moderated dual-mechanism model such that both voice role conceptualization and psychological safety mediated the negative effect of abusive supervision on voice, with dyadic deep-level similarity and leader narcissism weakening these mediation effects, respectively. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.