Empowering Voice: A Case Study on the Impacts of Employee Resource Groups on Individual Employees' Voice Behaviors

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Committee Chair

Michelle Geiman

Committee Member

David Mccurry

Committee Member

Susan Campbell

Abstract

This research study explores how employee resource groups (ERGs) impact individual employee voice behaviors. The study is grounded in the spiral of silence theoretical framework (Codington-Lacerte, 2020; Noelle-Neumann, 1974), with the concepts of psychological safety, social identity, social exchange, and self-efficacy explored as mediating factors. The study consists of a qualitative, single case study at an organization that recently established ERGs. Seventeen employees were interviewed, representing eleven of the organization’s twelve ERGs. Results from the study support the application of the spiral of silence theoretical framework at the individual employee level. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the data, which demonstrate that ERGs impact individual voice behaviors through building relationships, creating cultural change, and empowering individuals.

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