Inclusive climate perception and voice behavior among new generation employees in China: the role of workplace friendship and relational attribution

Introduction: In today's competitive business environment, employee voice, intended to improve organizational effectiveness, is critically important for sustainable development. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between inclusive climate perception and voice behavior among new generation employees in China. It also examined the mediating role of workplace friendship and explored the moderating effect of relational attribution. A moderated mediation model was constructed. Methods: This study collected data using a multi-wave and multi-source research design. A total of 259 new generation employees and their line managers' paired data were used in the following empirical analysis. Results: The results showed that inclusive climate perception positively affected voice behavior among China's new generation employees, and workplace friendship played a mediating role in this relationship. Relational attribution moderated the mediating effect of workplace friendship. Conclusion: Drawing on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and attribution theory, this study expands the antecedents of voice behavior and highlights the roles of workplace friendship and relational attribution in the relationship between inclusive climate perception and voice behavior among new generation employees in China.