Does LMX always promote employee voice: a dark side of migrant working in Saudi Arabia

Ghulam Ali Arain, Zeeshan Bhatti, Jonathan Crawshaw, Imran Ali, Armando Papa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose: Drawing on the self-consistency theory, we tested a model where employees’ supervisor-based self-esteem (SBSE) is positively related to their promotive and prohibitive voice. The model also suggested that SBSE mediates the positive relationship between leader-member exchange social comparison (LMXSC) of an employee’s promotive and prohibitive voice, but these relationships are weakened for migrant workers.

Design/Methodology:
To test our hypotheses, multi-source data were collected from 341 matched supervisor-supervisee dyads working in a diverse range of organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We carried out this study in the context of a unique work environment created in KSA as a result of the recent policies of the government.

Findings: As predicted, employees’ SBSE is positively related to their promotive and prohibitive voice and mediates a positive relationship between their LMXSC and their promotive and prohibitive voice, but only for local workers.

Originality:
Our study responds to calls for more research that explores the roles played by macro-environmental factors on employees’ voice. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Manpower
Early online date28 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusEarly online - 28 Oct 2021

Keywords

  • Leader-Member Exchange Social Comparison
  • Self-Esteem
  • Voice
  • Migrant Workers
  • The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

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