Too Close to Speak Up? How Group Network Density and Status Conflict Affect Group Voice

TL;DR

This study explores how close relationships and status conflicts in work groups affect how much members speak up.

Contribution

The study introduces the moderating role of status conflict on the relationship between group network density and group voice.

Findings

Group network density has an inverted U-shaped relationship with group voice.

High status conflict reduces overall group voice and intensifies the decline on the downward side of the curve.

Abstract

Although group network characteristics significantly influence a group’s ability to exchange and absorb knowledge by listening to group members’ opinions, previous research on voice behavior has not yet fully addressed the social and relational factors in work groups that affect group-level voice. Specifically, in line with the “dark side of social capital” argument, this study examined the effects of group network density on group voice. In addition, drawing on the notion of status conflict, we further examined the moderating role of status conflict on the relationship between group network density and group voice. Using data from 55 work groups, we found an inverted U-shaped relationship between group network density and group voice. Moreover, we found that status conflict moderated the inverted-U effect of group density on group voice, such that when status conflict was high, (1) the overall level of group voice was reduced and (2) group voice decreased faster on the downward side of the inverted-U curve. Herein, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these results with relation to effective group management.

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