LMX and employee voice A moderated mediation model of psychological empowerment and role clarity

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of employee psychological empowerment in the leader-member exchange (LMX)-employee voice relationship, and whether role clarity moderated the effect. Design/methodology/approach - A paired questionnaire survey was used to collect data by 295 employees and their supervisors from nine firms in the People's Republic of China. Findings - The hypothesized moderated mediation model used in this study was supported. Psychological empowerment mediated the positive relationship between LMX and employee voice, and stronger role clarity tends to strengthen this indirect relationship. Originality/value - Few studies have explored the mediating mechanism in the relationship between LMX and employee voice. Based on role theory, this study broadens the research on the LMX-employee voice relationship by introducing employee psychological empowerment as the mediator. This study further explores role clarity as the boundary condition for this indirect relationship.