Integrating Collective Voice within Job Demands–Resources Theory

Abstract

Drawing on insights from the sociology of work, this article contributes to job demands–resources (JD-R) theory by arguing that collective employee voice should be considered within the framework as an antecedent of job demands and job resources. An empirical test is offered to substantiate the theoretical argument, hypothesizing that collective voice – measured as trade union influence at the workplace level – reduces job demands and increases job resources. Based on the notion that some jobs may be inherently demanding, an additional hypothesis posits that collective voice balances demands with job resources by supplementing resources particularly where demands are high. Drawing on data from the European Social Survey covering 27 countries, results of multi-level analyses reveal that while not associated negatively with job demands, collective voice enhances job resources, particularly where demands are high. On this basis the article encourages further sociologically informed analyses of the JD-R model.