From Voice to Action? A Survey on Organizational and Individual Factors Impacting Employee Activism Intentions

Activism is increasingly shaping social and political arenas and influencing the corporate world. This study examines the factors that drive employee activism within organizations, focusing on how organizational and individual factors influence both communicative and actionable activism intentions. Drawing on a survey of 324 Italian public and private sector employees, we investigate the impact of: (a) organizational factors, specifically climate of voice, transparent leadership communication, and perceived corporate authenticity; and (b) individual factors, specifically perceived external prestige, organizational identification, and employee engagement. Additionally, we explore the moderating role of (c) corporate and CEO activism, as leaders’ active involvement in social, political, and environmental issues may influence employee activism intentions. Findings underscore that a supportive voice climate, authentic alignment of corporate values, and transparent leadership communication empower employees toward activism. This study provides strategic implications for integrating purpose-driven values into internal communication and leadership practices to cultivate an organizational culture that encourages proactive employee engagement and advocacy.