The patterns of employee voice in China

Employee voice is a major type of proactive behaviour in the workplace, and its patterns vary across different countries and cultural contexts. In this book chapter, by examining the history and development of employee voice in China, we aim to provide a systematic overview of this line of research in the Chinese context. In specific, this book chapter summarises employee voice research in China regarding the antecedents, outcomes, mediating mechanisms and boundary conditions. To clarify the critical roles of other players within workplace, multiple perspectives (target employee, peers, leaders, etc.) are taken through reviewing previous literature to further understand voice behaviour among Chinese workers and its relevant influences. In addition, this chapter also highlights the typical features and characteristics of employee voice in the Chinese context (i.e., power distance; zhongyong mindset; guanxi, mianzi/face and renqing; collectivism). Future directions for the research are discussed.