From idea to action: Defining and measuring voice implementation

Abstract

Despite increasing interest in the topic, research on managerial responses to voice is underdeveloped. In this article, we differentiate voice implementation from voice appreciation to add much-needed nuance to our understanding of how voice targets respond to voice behaviour. We define voice implementation as the extent to which a voice target undertakes voluntary effort with the goal of enacting a suggestion from a voicer, including attempting to put a suggestion into action and/or advocating for the idea to those with the power to enact the suggestion. A 5-item scale based on this definition demonstrated strong content validity, construct validity, and criterion-related validity, including significantly improving prediction of the likelihood of future voice behaviour beyond voice appreciation and endorsement. This measure of voice implementation allows for greater precision in understanding how voice targets respond to employee voice and what behaviours may encourage increased voice behaviour.