Loaded with knowledge, yet green with envy: leader–member exchange comparison and coworkers-directed knowledge hiding behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1653-1680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingxiong Weng ◽  
Kashmala Latif ◽  
Abdul Karim Khan ◽  
Hussain Tariq ◽  
Hirra Pervez Butt ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to explore an interpersonal predictor of coworkers-directed knowledge hiding behavior – the leader–member exchange social comparison (LMXSC). This study integrates leader–member exchange literature with social comparison theory to hypothesize that an individual’s upward LMXSC is positively correlated with coworkers-directed knowledge hiding and that an individual’s feelings of envy are mediated by the relationship between upward LMXSC and coworkers-directed knowledge hiding behavior. Also, this study proposes two-way and three-way interaction patterns of goal interdependence, which can influence LMXSC–envy relationships. Design/methodology/approach Two independent studies are conducted to test the hypothesized relationships. In Study 1, the authors collected multi-wave data from a large public sector university in China (N = 1,131). The authors then replicated the Study 1 findings by collecting multi-source and multi-wave data from a telecom company based in China (n = 379). Findings The authors found support across both studies for the idea that upward LMXSC is a possible interpersonal predictor of coworkers-directed knowledge hiding behavior. More specifically, it was found that feelings of envy ensue from upward LMXSC, resulting in further coworkers-directed knowledge hiding behavior. Further, this study shows that the influence of upward LMXSC on knowledge hiding behavior via feelings of envy was weaker (stronger) when employees have high (low) cooperative goal interdependence with coworkers, respectively, and when employees have low (high) competitive goal interdependence with the coworkers, respectively. Originality/value This study extends current knowledge management literature by introducing LMXSC as an interpersonal predictor of coworkers-directed knowledge hiding behavior. This will help practitioners to curb such counterproductive behavior.

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevgi Emirza ◽  
Alev Katrinli

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether leader-follower similarity in construal level of the work, which indicates the degree of abstraction applied to mental representation of the work, influences the quality of interpersonal relationship at work.Design/methodology/approachFirst, an interview study was conducted to adapt the work-based construal-level (WBCL) scale. Then, a survey study was conducted for hypothesis testing. Data collected from 245 matched supervisor-subordinate dyads were analyzed using multi-level modeling.FindingsResults revealed that dyadic similarity in work-domain construal level is positively related to leader-member exchange (LMX) quality. As a leader and a follower become similar to each other in terms of mental representation (i.e. construal level) of work, they experience higher relationship quality.Originality/valueThis study enhances the current knowledge of the role of cognition and cognitive similarity in leadership processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ali Hamza ◽  
Saqib Rehman ◽  
Adnan Sarwar ◽  
Komal Nadeem Choudhary

Purpose The organizational success to achieve and maintain its competitiveness is ascribed in the effectiveness of its knowledge management (KM) system, which depends on its employees’ impetus to exhibit knowledge sharing behavior. When an employee hides knowledge, an organization somewhat loses its part of knowledge, which causes loss to the organization eventually. This study aims to examine the impact of personality traits and one’s ethnicity on knowledge hiding behavior (KHB) by focusing on mediating role of team member exchange (TMX). Design/methodology/approach A total 308 questionnaires are collected from the public sector organizations (Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Punjab, Pakistan), out of them 300 are used in the analysis. Through Google e-survey form, cross-sectional data using convenience sampling are collected from the Gazetted officers (managerial level) of the department. Findings The paper provides empirical insights about three personality traits, i.e. openness, conscientiousness and neuroticism, and ethnicity have positive relation with KHB, whereas TMX as a mediator converts this positive relation into negative. Remaining two personality traits, i.e. extraversion and agreeableness, have negative relation with KHB, whereas TMX as a mediator strengthens this negative relationship with KHB. Research limitations/implications The broad context of research and large number of items made it difficult to collect the responses. In future studies, 50 items of big five should be replaced with mini scale. Empirical explanation of the relation between ethnicity and knowledge hiding is an addition to body of knowledge in general, particularly in context of Pakistan. Practical implications This study has the power to help managers in managing their team members and to understand what kind of personality and social group involvements promote knowledge sharing culture within the organization. Originality/value To broaden the understanding of KM domain, this study adds value in the relationship between big five personality traits, ethnicity and KHB of employees by finding the mediating effect of TMX in the context of Pakistani organizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dheeraj Sharma ◽  
Madhurima Mishra ◽  
Shivendra Kumar Pandey ◽  
Koustab Ghosh

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of leader-member exchange social comparison (LMXSC) perceptions in triggering the instigation of uncivil behavior in the workplace. This study also explores the intervening role of envy and the buffering role of aggression-preventive supervisor behavior within the proposed relationship. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected in two phases separated by an interval of four weeks. The final sample consisted of 224 full-time white-collar employees working in five large pharmaceutical manufacturing organizations in India. Findings The findings indicate that employees’ subjective perceptions of being involved in poorer-quality LMX relationships than their workgroup members generate envy, which, in turn, evokes them to instigate uncivil behaviors onto those higher-LMX counterparts. The indirect effect of LMX social comparison on instigated workplace incivility through envy gets attenuated when supervisors engage in aggression-preventive behavior. Practical implications To protect organizations from the financial and productivity losses associated with incivility, supervisors are encouraged to exhibit aggression-preventive behavior if they form differentiated exchange relationships with the subordinates in their teams. Supervisors are further advised to avoid the altogether neglect of lower-LMX subordinates as doing so may give rise to negative emotions (envy) and behavior (incivility) among them. Originality/value This study expands the limited body of knowledge on the antecedents of uncivil employee behavior in the workplace. Specifically, it unveils that incivility toward coworkers may be stemming from unfavorable LMX social comparisons and ensuing negative emotions such as envy. It also offers insights on reducing uncivil behavior by highlighting that the impact of LMXSC and envy on incivility instigation gets buffered in the presence of aggression-preventive supervisor behavior.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Ma ◽  
Jing Zhang

Purpose Despite manager’s investments in facilitating knowledge sharing, such as hiring employees with lots of knowledge, knowledge hiding remains prevalent in organizations. It may stem from that less attention has been paid to the relationship between perceived overqualification and knowledge hiding. Drawing on emotion theory, this study aims to build a mediation framework to examine effects of perceived overqualification on knowledge hiding via negative emotion state and moderating role of team positive affective tone. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a two-wave survey study among 398 knowledge workers from 106 teams in knowledge-intensive industries and tests the hypotheses by performing a series of hierarchical linear modeling analyzes. Findings The results show that a negative emotion state mediates the U-shaped relationship between employees’ perceived overqualification and knowledge hiding behavior. Team positive affective tone moderates the U-shaped relationship between negative emotions and employees’ knowledge hiding behavior. Originality/value This study extends current knowledge management literature by introducing perceived overqualification as an individual predictor of employees’ knowledge hiding behavior and revealing the both light and dark sides of perceived overqualification on knowledge hiding, as well as its intervening mechanism. The research findings help practitioners to curb such counterproductive behaviors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1502-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Babič ◽  
Matej Černe ◽  
Catherine E. Connelly ◽  
Anders Dysvik ◽  
Miha Škerlavaj

Purpose Although organizations expect employees to share knowledge with each other, knowledge hiding has been documented among coworker dyads. This paper aims to draw on social exchange theory to examine if and why knowledge hiding also occurs in teams. Design/methodology/approach Two studies, using experimental (115 student participants on 29 teams) and field (309 employees on 92 teams) data, explore the influence of leader-member exchange (LMX) on knowledge hiding in teams, as well as the moderating role of collective (team-level) prosocial motivation. Findings The results of experimental Study 1 showed that collective prosocial motivation and LMX reduce knowledge hiding in teams. Field Study 2 further examined LMX, through its distinctive economic and social facets, and revealed the interaction effect of team prosocial motivation and social LMX on knowledge hiding. Originality/value This study complements existing research on knowledge hiding by focusing specifically on the incidence of this phenomenon among members of the same team. This paper presents a multi-level model that explores collective prosocial motivation as a cross-level predictor of knowledge hiding in teams, and examines economic LMX and social LMX as two facets of LMX.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Serwaa Amoah ◽  
Francis Annor ◽  
Maxwell Asumeng

PurposeThe study examined the relationship between psychological contract breach and organizational commitment and whether leader-member exchange and job embeddedness mediate this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a quantitative approach and is based on a sample of 298 teachers in basic schools in Accra, Ghana. Participants completed surveys with standardized measures on psychological contract breach, job embeddedness, leader-member exchange and organizational commitment. Hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modeling in AMOS 21.0.FindingsPsychological contract breach had a direct negative relationship with affective and normative commitment but had no significant direct relationship with continuance commitment. Psychological contract breach was indirectly related to affective and normative commitment through both job embeddedness and leader-member exchange, and indirectly related to continuance commitment through only job embeddedness.Practical implicationsFindings from the study suggest that employers' failure to fulfill their obligations to employees has significant potential cost to the organization, and underscore the need for managers, particularly in educational institutions, to institute measures to eliminate or minimize the occurrence of psychological contract breach.Originality/valueThe study contributes to research examining antecedents of organizational commitment as well as the mechanisms linking psychological contract breach to organizational commitment in the educational context.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Myat Su Han ◽  
Daniel Peter Hampson ◽  
Yonggui Wang

Purpose This study aims to investigate whether or not the two facets of pride, hubristic and authentic, are associated with knowledge hiding. Design/methodology/approach This study collects survey data (N = 343) from one of the leading information technology (IT) companies in Myanmar at two stages with a two-month interval. This study uses multiple regression analyses to test this study’s hypotheses. Findings Results reveal that hubristic pride is positively related to knowledge hiding, whereas the relationship between authentic pride and knowledge hiding is negative. These relationships are contingent upon the level of employees’ self-efficacy. Research limitations/implications This study suggests that managers should include measures for moral emotions in their recruitment and selection criteria. Furthermore, the authors suggest that managers should design strategies to induce moral emotions at the workplace and enhance personal resources (e.g. self-efficacy), which have an instrumental effect in maximizing the prosocial facet of pride (i.e. authentic pride) as well as minimizing adverse experiences of the antisocial facet of pride (i.e. hubristic pride), thereby reducing knowledge hiding. Originality/value The findings shed light on the significance of the inclusion of emotional variables in understanding employees’ knowledge hiding. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical study to examine the combined effect of emotive and cognitive variables in predicting knowledge hiding by demonstrating that hubristic pride only mitigates knowledge hiding behavior among high self-efficacious employees.


Author(s):  
Rasidah Arshad ◽  
Ida RosnitaI Ismail

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between workplace incivility and knowledge hiding, and role of personality disposition (neuroticism) in moderating such relationships.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 108 employees nested in 18 teams from private sectors via survey questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression models were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings show that the higher the level of workplace incivility experienced by the team members, the higher the tendency for them to hide knowledge and this relationship is moderated by neuroticism. Specifically, the relationship was found to be stronger for those employees high in neuroticism compared to those low in neuroticism.Practical implicationsThe study offers important implication in term of knowledge hiding prevention or reduction. The behavior can be reduced by creating awareness among employees on the importance of civility at work via campaign, realistic job preview and leading by example. To manage the effect of neuroticism, managers need to identify those high in the trait and provide them with training on how to better regulate and manage negative emotions in the workplace.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the research on knowledge hiding behavior by advancing the understanding of organizational and personal factors that can influence knowledge hiding among employees working in team. It is the first to propose and empirically validate the predictive effect of workplace incivility on knowledge hiding. It also addresses the usefulness of examining personality disposition in understanding the relationship between workplace incivility and knowledge hiding behavior.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Vandna Sharma

Purpose This paper aims to examine the role of employee engagement (EE) as a mediator in the relationship of extra-role performance (ERP) with leader member exchange (LMX), high-involvement human resource practices (HI HRPs) and employee resilience (ER) in the emerging service sector organizations in India. Design/methodology/approach Data have been gathered from 328 employees from executive and non-executive grades from metro rail organizations of North India through structured questionnaire. Before analysis, missing data and outliers were examined. Structure equation modelling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis have been performed to analyse the hypothesized model. Findings Findings reveal that all the constructs taken in the study – LMX, HI HRP and ER – had a positive influence on employees’ ERP through EE. Research limitations/implications This study is helpful in providing better understanding of the predictors of EE and the way it affects employees’ ERP for researches that are aiming to conduct related research studies in an Indian context. To achieve higher employee performance, organizations need to identify factors or drivers that potentially increase the EE levels, thereby, increasing the employees’ performance. This will also help HR practitioners in shaping and formulating effective organizational policies and practices. Originality/value This study has considered the emerging service sector organizations in India that have not been endeavoured before as earlier studies concentrated more on Western countries. The result of the study is congruent with that of the previous studies by establishing a positive relationship between EE and employees’ ERP and also concludes that LMX, HI HRP and ER have positive influence on EE.


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