Seen but not heard: the voice of women at work and the mediating role of culture

Article


Adisa, T. A., Ogbonnaya, C., Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. and Adekoya, O. D. 2024. Seen but not heard: the voice of women at work and the mediating role of culture. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. p. In Press. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2421345
AuthorsAdisa, T. A., Ogbonnaya, C., Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. and Adekoya, O. D.
Abstract

While there is now an extensive body of literature on employee voice behaviour in the global North, research evidence from the global South is limited. This has constrained our understanding of the barriers that female workers face in expressing their views and concerns in developing countries such as Nigeria. This article examines the cultural factors that shape female employee voice behaviour in Nigerian workplaces. Using a meta-synthesis of 52 semi-structured interviews and approximately 200 h of non-participant observation, we identify a high-power distance orientation and patriarchal norms as two cultural factors that contribute to gender imbalance in the workplace, making it difficult for female employees to express their opinions, suggestions, ideas, or complaints about important workplace issues. Our findings highlight a system of patriarchal hegemony and gender inequality that makes voice behaviour difficult for female workers. The findings also show that contextualised religious norms and teachings encourage silence among female employees. We provide valuable insights into the cultural norms that inhibit female employee voice behaviour in the Global South context.

JournalThe International Journal of Human Resource Management
Journal citationp. In Press
ISSN1466-4399
Year2024
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Publisher's version
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Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2421345
Publication dates
Online30 Oct 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted21 Oct 2024
Deposited06 Nov 2024
Copyright holder© 2024 The Authors
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