A multilevel study on antecedents of manager voice in Chinese context

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of manager voice in Chinese business from the theory of plan behavior perspective. The paper focuses on how antecedents including organization‐based self‐esteem, psychological ownership, and supervisor‐subordinate guanxi influence manager voice. It also examines the cross‐level moderating effect of Chinese indigenous leadership style authoritarian leadership on the relationships between antecedents and manager voice.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review on manager voice, organization‐based self‐esteem, psychological ownership, supervisor‐subordinate guanxi, and authoritarian leadership provided the model and hypothesis. Using a sample of 262 supervisor‐subordinate dyads collected in Chinese business, a cross‐level analysis was conducted to test the model and hypothesis.

Findings

The results of hierarchical linear modeling show that on a individual level, in comparison with the organization‐based self‐esteem and psychological ownership, supervisor‐subordinate guanxi is a more critical factor influencing manager voice; on a group level, authoritarian leadership is negatively related to manager voice; and authoritarian leadership moderates the relationship between the supervisor‐subordinate guanxi and the manager voice: for weak authoritarian leadership group, the positive relationship between supervisor‐subordinate guanxi and manager voice is stronger.

Research limitations/implications

It was a cross‐sectional study, and the samples were limited to Chinese business. It is necessary to replicate this research in other organization contexts. The results indicate that indigenous guanxi and authoritarian leadership significantly influence manager voice, which advances voice research in Chinese management studies.

Practical implications

Results of the study suggest top Chinese business leaders should strengthen the interpersonal relationship between supervisors and subordinates in order to encourage manager voice. Moreover, the top leaders should change their authoritarian leadership to facilitate voice behavior.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its investigation on how Chinese indigenous organizational factors – guanxi and authoritarian leadership – influence manager voice. The paper also explains the relationships between antecedents and manager voice from a cross‐level perspective.

Citation

Wang, L., Huang, J., Chu, X. and Wang, X. (2010), "A multilevel study on antecedents of manager voice in Chinese context", Chinese Management Studies, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 212-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506141011074110