More vocal when satisfied: the effect of need satisfaction on employees' voice to coworkers

Purpose This study aimed to explore the effects of the satisfaction of employees' need for autonomy, relatedness and competence on their voice behavior through the mediation of self-efficacy for voice and perceived risk for voice. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical model is tested using survey data collected from 209 employees of information technology (IT) firms located in five major cities in China. Findings The study found that satisfaction of employees' need for autonomy, relatedness and competence facilitated their self-efficacy for voice and inhibited perceived risk for voice. Self-efficacy for voice was positively related to voice, whereas perceived risk for voice was negatively related to it. Perceived risk for voice hampered self-efficacy for voice. Practical implications The findings indicate that organizations can boost employees' voice behavior by making them feel that they have autonomy in their work, by helping them maintain good relationships with others in the workplace and by enabling their competence in accomplishing their job. Originality/value This study highlights that satisfying employees' psychological needs plays a pivotal role in facilitating their voice behavior. The authors provide new insights into the relationship between need satisfaction and voice behavior and into the mediating roles of self-efficacy for voice and perceived risk for voice.