A meta-analytic structural equation modeling analysis of the relationship between voice behavior, transformational...

This study investigates the associations among voice behavior, transformational leadership, and psychological capital using a meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, social identity theory, and broaden-and-build theory, psychological capital was proposed as a key mediator in the association between employee voice and transformational leadership.

Data from 11 Taiwanese empirical studies published between 2008 and 2020 were synthesized, comprising more than 1,000 participants across diverse industries. Meta-analysis was conducted to examine the pairwise relationships among voice behavior, transformational leadership, and psychological capital, followed by structural equation modeling to test the proposed mediation model.

The meta-analysis revealed significant positive correlations between voice behavior and transformational leadership (r = .463), between voice behavior and psychological capital (r = .557), and between psychological capital and transformational leadership (r = .521). Structural equation modeling supported a mediation pattern in which psychological capital accounted for part of the positive association between voice behavior and transformational leadership, with the indirect effect being comparable to the direct effect.

These findings highlight the reciprocal nature of leader-follower dynamics and suggest that employee voice is systematically associated with employees' psychological resources and with transformational leadership within the Taiwanese evidence base. This study contributes to the organizational behavior literature by clarifying the triangular relationship among voice behavior, psychological capital, and transformational leadership. The findings also have practical implications for fostering psychologically safe communication channels, investing in leadership development, and cultivating employee psychological capital to support organizational innovation and adaptability.