Multiple foci of commitment and employee silence: A role theory perspective

Voice enhances whereas employee silence compromises organizational effectiveness and efficiency. We assert that individuals with different foci of commitment vary in their conceptualization of voice behaviors as integral to their roles, which in turn, influences voice behaviors. Integrating silence and voice literatures under the overarching framework of role theory, we investigated the mediating role of voice role conceptualization in the relationship between multiple foci of commitment and employee silence and whether this mediation was moderated by perceptions of organizational politics. Data collected from 437 working adults from United States and China were used to test our moderated mediation model. Results indicated support for mediation and moderated mediation for the team commitment and silence relationship through its impact on voice role conceptualization, controlling for career commitment, and organizational commitment. We discuss implications of results for theory and practice, and offer suggestions for future research.