When my coworker voices similar ideas to mine: Effects of dyadic idea similarity for future voice

Abstract

Holding similar work‐related views is common in organizations. Employees who develop ideas but refrain from speaking up may recognize this similarity when they observe coworkers expressing similar ideas to managers. Drawing on social comparison theory, we propose that dyadic idea similarity—the extent to which a non‐voicing employee's latent ideas and a coworker's voiced ideas overlap—serves as a self‐relevant comparison cue in coworker voice episodes. Observing a coworker voicing similar ideas can elicit two processes: an assimilation effect that enhances the non‐voicing employee's efficacy in generating voice ideas and a contrast effect that undermines efficacy in expressing voice ideas. We further argue that these effects are contingent on voice norms, such that the consequences of social comparison for voice‐related self‐efficacy are more pronounced when voice norms are encouraging, with implications for subsequent voice. Across three scenario experiments and an experience‐recall experiment, results suggest that assimilation and contrast pathways are contingent on voice norms. Our study taps a novel phenomenon of dyadic idea similarity and extends knowledge of voicer–observer dyadic interactions, contributing to the literature on voice and voice efficacy.