Speaking up with integrity: how moral ownership connects moral agency and ethical voice

Purpose This research investigates the psychological factors affecting ethical expression among employees. It focuses on how moral agency influences ethical voice and examines the mediating role of moral ownership in this relationship. The study also assesses the impact of demographic variables on these associations. Design/methodology/approach The study employed established psychometric methods to assess both validity and reliability, drawing on data collected from a cross-sectional survey of 244 employees across various industry sectors in India. To investigate the mediating role of moral ownership in the relationship between moral agency and ethical voice, the study employed Hayes' PROCESS Model 4. Findings The results indicate a positive correlation between moral agency and moral ownership, with moral agency significantly predicting ethical voice. Mediation analysis shows that moral ownership partially mediates this relationship, suggesting that a strong sense of moral responsibility enhances employees' ability to express ethical concerns. Demographic factors did not significantly moderate the model. Originality/value The paper enhances ethical voice theory by introducing moral ownership as a link between moral agency and ethical expression. It examines how moral awareness fosters personal responsibility, explaining variations in employees' willingness to voice ethical concerns despite similar moral capacities. The findings highlight the importance of leadership and developmental interventions in fostering moral agency and ownership to improve ethical expression in organizations