Understanding Employee Voice in Psychological Contracts: How Does It Relate to Trust and Involvement?

Hi, my dissertation is focusing on the psychological contract. My supervisor told me to concentrate on trust and also on employee voice. Is employee voice the involvement of the employee in the organization? Looking forward to reading your comments. Any other tips regarding that topic would be more than helpful.

My suggestion is that you should read Steven Covey's book 'The 8th Habit'. You will find a lot about Voice in it. Also, read '7 Habits of Highly Effective People'. It talks about Trust in great detail.

Both books I've suggested are great foundation builders. Once you work your way through the concepts, it will really help you to apply them in the context of a workplace and translate that into your dissertation. Good Luck!

Thank you very much, Gaurav, for the book suggestions. I'll go to the library tomorrow and hope they have it. But coming back to the first question: Is voice employee involvement? I'm planning to analyze the psychological contract with two different leadership styles (directive and transformational) and will conduct primary research in a company.

First, you're welcome! Second, I have my answer regarding your question about voice in employee involvement. This is what I discuss in my leadership development programs with senior leadership and C-level executives from client organizations. However, I will not answer your question. Not because I want to make it difficult for you but because I want your dissertation to be a rich and invigorating experience. You have chosen a topic that is extremely powerful and almost entirely separate from most run-of-the-mill leadership dissertation topics.

Third, regardless of the leadership style context in which Voice is analyzed, the outcome is always the same. The only time it varies is when applied in the context of management as opposed to leadership.

Regarding researching in a 'live organization,' my suggestion, given your choice of topic, is to select one that has existed for at least 25-30 years. It is only in sustainable organizations that Voice is truly visible as a core part of ordinary business culture!

Once again, good luck and have FUN!