Why Voice Behavior? An Integrative Model of the Need for Affiliation, the Quality of Leader–Member Exchange, and Group Cohesion in Predicting Voice Behavior

Abstract

Although research has established individual difference antecedents of voice behavior, little is known about the role of individual differences in psychological needs that affect voice. We draw on needs theory to propose a needs-driven approach to studying voice behavior. Specifically, we hypothesize that individual’s need for affiliation has differential effects on promotive voice and prohibitive voice, leader–member exchange (LMX) transmits the effects of personal need for affiliation on the two types of voice, and group cohesion weakens the indirect effects of the need for affiliation on the two types of voice behavior through LMX. We test these hypotheses with samples of 215 employees from 42 groups in China. The results have supported all the hypotheses. Implications to theory and practice are discussed.