Employee voice

Cognitive psychology

Philosophy

Communication

Social psychology

Public relations

Economics

Computer science

Conceptual framework

Human resource management

Aesthetics

Psychology

Management

Silence

Political science

Epistemology

Sociology

Knowledge management

Industrial relations

Antithesis

Social science

Human Resource Management Review

There is a growing interest in conceptualising employee voice across various theoretical disciplines - including Human Resource Management (HRM), Organizational Behaviour (OB), Industrial Relations (IR) and Labour Process (LP) – which approach the phenomena from diverse ontological anchor points. However, few consider the antithesis of voice, employee silence. This paper aims to advance a conceptual framework of voice and silence based on the inter-disciplinary integration of OB, IR and LP perspectives. Such an integrated approach may offer scholars, policy advocates and HR audiences a more reflective understanding of the social and psychological antecedents of employee voice and silence. The framework advances a critical pluralist view of employee silence by drawing on the concept of 'structured antagonism', which has been neglected in HRM and OB studies. A suggested future research agenda is outlined to help better integrate diverse approaches on employee voice and silence.

Towards an integration of employee voice and silence