Authentic Leadership and Employee Voice: Roles of Obligation Perception and Power Distance Orientation

Abstract

Based on social learning theory, this paper investigated the relationship between authentic leadership and employee voice as well as the mediating role of felt obligations for change, and the moderating role of power distance orientation. Using a questionnaire survey, we collected employee data in China, and obtained 183 usable responses to test our hypotheses. The results show that authentic leadership is positively related to employee voice, authentic leadership positively influences felt obligations for change, and felt obligations for change mediates the relationship between authentic leadership and employee voice. Further, power distance orientation moderates the influence of authentic leadership on felt obligations for change. Theoretical implications, managerial implications, and future directions are discussed.