Voices of Loyal Members: Dual Role of Organizational Identification in the Process of Employee Voice

Based on Hirschman's theory of loyalty and Packer's normative conflict model, the present study examined the roles of organizational identification in the voice emergence and reaction processes, wherein individuals provide voice and receive evaluations for their voice behavior, respectively. Using a survey method, data were collected from 455 cadets and their supervisors at a military educational institute in South Korea, who live and work together under an honor-based organizational system that encourages voice behavior through formal and informal channels. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for hypothesis testing. Our findings from multi-source data demonstrated that, when controlling for two social exchange variables (i.e., leader-member exchange and perceived organizational support), organizational identification not only increases voice behavior but also strengthens the positive relationship between voice behavior and supervisor performance evaluations. Specifically, voice behavior has a positive relationship with performance appraisal only when organizational identification is high. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.