Abstract:

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between attachment and employee voice behavior in Turkey to underline the importance of personal factors on employee voice behavior. It is known that individuals' attachment styles have a crucial impact on their interpersonal relationships, included workplace relationships, and attitudes. Additionally, employee’s trust levels to supervisors were examined to understand whether trust moderates the relationship between attachment and employee voice behavior in a high power distance country, Turkey. Methods: The sample of the study consists of a total of 225 participants living in Turkey. In the current study, standardized scales were used to determine the employee voice, attachment in close relationships, and trust to supervisors of the employees. The study carried out on the online platform (Qualtrics) and the results, obtained from the questionnaires, were evaluated with correlation, regression and moderation analysis. Results: As a result of the regression and correlation analyses, we found a significant association between attachment, trust to manager and voice behaviors. Individuals with avoidant and anxious attachment tended to show more acquiescent and defensive voice, which is reverse for secure attachment. In case where trust to manager is higher, secure attached individuals have shown more acquiescent (passive) and less defensive voice rather than prosocial (active) voice. When trust is lower, insecure ones (avoidant or anxious) in their personal lives have shown more acquiescent and defensive voice. Originality: In this study, it was observed that trust to manager significantly associated with prosocial voice in Turkey; thus, it is predicted that the evaluation of the attachment styles of the candidates can provide a critical input in the recruitment processes of the institutions. Where trust toward the manager is found to be in center, insecure attachments may become an obstacle in front of prosocial voices. It is discussed where this situation can be an obstacle for organizations, regarding being innovative and competitive in the global world. Our study is original that includes trust to manager in the relationship between personal attachments and employee voice.

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