Remember Saying “Thanks” When Rejecting Others: The Role of Leader Gratitude Expression

Leaders’ rejection of employee suggestions is a common occurrence in organizations, yet current research is unclear about how and when leader voice rejection affects employees’ subsequent upward voice. Based on the cognitive–affective personality system (CAPS) theory and emotion as social information (EASI) model, this study examines the mediating role of voice self-efficacy (VSE) and leader-member exchange (LMX), as well as the moderating role of leader gratitude expression. Analyzing 245 questionnaires collected across multiple-wave and multiple sources, our study found that leader voice rejection reduces employees’ subsequent upward voice behavior via reducing their VSE and LMX, and leader gratitude expression not only moderates the direct effects of leader voice rejection on employees’ VSE and LMX, but also moderates the indirect effects of leader voice rejection on subsequent upward voice via VSE and LMX. The theoretical implications, practical implications and future research are also discussed.