When prohibitive voice is effective? Exploring the jointly moderating role of hindrance stressor and work-based construal level

Abstract

Prohibitive voice is important for employees and organizations to reduce hindrance stressor. However, previous research offered limited knowledge for whether prohibitive voice can lead to communication effectiveness in the context of hindrance stressor. The purpose of our research is to examine how to improve the communication effectiveness of prohibitive voice under hindrance stressor condition. Drawing from information richness theory and construal level theory, this study constructed a model regarding the three-way interactive effect of prohibitive voice, hindrance stressor, and work-based construal level on communication effectiveness. By investigating 55 supervisors and 393 employees, we examined our hypothesis. Results of cross-level analysis offered support for the assumption. Specifically, prohibitive voice from employees who are faced with high hindrance stressor and have high work-based construal level tends to be effective communication. Besides, when both hindrance stressor and work-based construal level are low, the association between prohibitive voice and communication effectiveness also tends to be positive. This study delineates the answer for how to increase communication effectiveness of prohibitive voice in the situation of hindrance stressor.