TABLE 2.4
A Comparison of Promotive versus Prohibitive Voice
Promotive Voice Prohibitive Voice
Commonalities
– Not specified in formal job descriptions (save for
particular jobs such as auditing);
– Helpful to the functioning of the work unit or the
organization;
– Reflecting the focal employee’s responsible and
constructive attitude towards the organization.
1. Behavioral
domain
– New ideas or thoughts
which are beneficial to
the organization.
– Doubts or concerns
about
inappropriateness
within the
organization.
2. Function
– With a clear solution
to address how to
improve the status
quo.
– To caution against the
undesirables within
the firm;
– May or may not have
solutions.
Peculiarities
3. Implication
for others
– The new ideas may
bring changes, but the
good intention behind
voice is easily
recognized;
– The improvements
can eventually benefit
the whole community.
– Some managers or
employees, who are
responsible for the
problems identified,
may need to take all
the blame