The effect of organizational trust perception on organizational silence: A study on university employees

This study investigates the effect of university employees' perceptions of organizational trust on their levels of organizational silence. The primary objective is to examine how the level of trust employees feel toward their organization influences their willingness to express opinions and concerns. The research is based on a quantitative methodology, using a survey to collect data, which were then analyzed through correlation and regression techniques. The findings indicate a significant and negative relationship between organizational trust and organizational silence. As organizational trust increases, the tendency to remain silent decreases; conversely, low levels of trust correlate with a rise in silence behaviors. Regression analysis revealed that organizational trust significantly predicts organizational silence, accounting for approximately 10% of its variance. Additionally, demographic variables such as gender, marital status, position, and seniority were found to have no statistically significant effect on organizational trust levels. These results suggest that organizational trust is shaped more by institutional culture and managerial practices than by individual characteristics. In conclusion, organizations that foster a high-trust environment encourage open communication, participation, and freedom of expression, thereby reducing the prevalence of organizational silence.