How and when do employees hide knowledge from co-workers?

Ghulam Ali Arain, Alberto Dello Strologo, Amandeep Dhir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Drawing on social learning and social cognitive theories, this study aims to examine a multi-level moderated mediation model that tests the mediating effect of moral disengagement (MD: Level 1) between perceived organisational politics (POP: Level 1) and employee knowledge hiding from coworkers (EKHC: Level 1). The authors further propose that supervisor knowledge hiding from employees (SKHE: Level 2) moderates this mediation effect. Design/methodology/approach: The authors obtained multi-sourced, multi-timed and multi-level data regarding 294 employees, working under 80 supervisors, from multiple organisations operating in Pakistan. The authors analysed these data using multi-level structural equation modelling via Mplus. Findings: The results show that employee MD significantly mediates the direct relationship between POP and EKHC. The mediation effect is further positively moderated by SKHE, which amplifies the mediation effect. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study that examines both EKHC and SKHE together in a single research model and provides a thorough understanding of why, how and when POP leads to EKHC.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Knowledge Management
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2021

Keywords

  • Employee knowledge hiding
  • Moral disengagement
  • Multi-level analysis
  • Perceived organisational politics
  • Supervisor knowledge hiding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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