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Top-Down Knowledge Hiding in Organizations: An Empirical Study of the Consequences of Supervisor Knowledge Hiding Among Local and Foreign Workers in the Middle East

Author

Listed:
  • Ghulam Ali Arain

    (American University of Ras Al Khaimah)

  • Zeeshan Ahmed Bhatti

    (King AbdulAziz University)

  • Naeem Ashraf

    (Montpellier Business School)

  • Yu-Hui Fang

    (Tamkang University)

Abstract

This study adds to the growing research exploring the consequences of knowledge hiding in organizations. Drawing from the social exchange theory and the norm of reciprocity, this paper examines the direct and indirect—via distrust in supervisor—relationships between supervisor knowledge hiding (SKH) and supervisee organizational citizenship behavior directed at the supervisor (OCB-S) in the context of the Middle East. Using a supervisor–supervisee dyadic design, two-source data were obtained from 317 employees (local and foreign) of 41 Saudi firms. The findings suggest that supervisees’ distrust in their supervisors mediates the significant and negative relationship between SKH and supervisees’ OCB-S. Furthermore, the significant and positive relationship between SKH and distrust in supervisor is more pronounced for foreign workers than for local workers. This study provides empirical support and a better understanding of the existence and consequences of SKH for local and foreign workers and also discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghulam Ali Arain & Zeeshan Ahmed Bhatti & Naeem Ashraf & Yu-Hui Fang, 2020. "Top-Down Knowledge Hiding in Organizations: An Empirical Study of the Consequences of Supervisor Knowledge Hiding Among Local and Foreign Workers in the Middle East," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 611-625, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:164:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-018-4056-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-4056-2
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    4. Yijing Wang & Changfeng Wang, 2023. "The dark side of knowledge transfer: A visual analysis using VOSviewer," E&M Economics and Management, Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Economics, vol. 26(2), pages 122-139, June.
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    6. Zhao, Hongdan & Zhao, Siyong & Chen, Yuanhua & Yu, Xiaoyu, 2023. "Bystanders’ reactions to leader knowledge hiding: The roles of moral disengagement and moral identity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    7. Gonçalves, Tiago & Curado, Carla & Oliveira, Mírian, 2023. "Clarifying knowledge withholding: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    8. Zhenyu Jiang & Zongjun Wang & Chengxiao Feng, 2023. "Choosing a better communication style: revealing the relationship between communication style and knowledge hiding behaviour," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    9. Zhe Zhang & Xintong Ji, 2023. "A Virtual Net Locks Me In: How and When Information and Communication Technology Use Intensity Leads to Knowledge Hiding," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(3), pages 611-626, October.
    10. Agarwal, Upasna A & Gupta, Megha & Cooke, Fang Lee, 2022. "Knowledge hide and seek: Role of ethical leadership, self-enhancement and job-involvement," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 770-781.
    11. LaJuan Perronoski Fuller, 2021. "Foundational Leadership Theory: A New Ethical Approach to Reducing Knowledge-Hiding Practices Among Employees," International Journal of Social Science Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 9(5), pages 67-76, September.
    12. Duan, Yunlong & Yang, Meng & Huang, Lei & Chin, Tachia & Fiano, Fabio & de Nuccio, Elbano & Zhou, Li, 2022. "Unveiling the impacts of explicit vs. tacit knowledge hiding on innovation quality: The moderating role of knowledge flow within a firm," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1489-1500.
    13. Shrivastava, Samir & Pazzaglia, Federica & Sonpar, Karan, 2021. "The role of nature of knowledge and knowledge creating processes in knowledge hiding: Reframing knowledge hiding," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 644-651.
    14. Xiong, Chang & Zheng, Leven J. & Germon, Rony & Susini, Jean-Paul & Chang, Victor, 2021. "Telling “white lies” within the entrepreneurial firm: How rationalized knowledge hiding between founder CEO and founder CTO influences new product development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 431-439.
    15. Zutshi, Ambika & Creed, Andrew & Bhattacharya, Ananya & Bavik, Ali & Sohal, Amrik & Bavik, Yuen Lam, 2021. "Demystifying knowledge hiding in academic roles in higher education," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 206-221.
    16. El-Kassar, Abdul-Nasser & Dagher, Grace K. & Lythreatis, Sophie & Azakir, Mohamad, 2022. "Antecedents and consequences of knowledge hiding: The roles of HR practices, organizational support for creativity, creativity, innovative work behavior, and task performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 1-10.
    17. Che, Feng & Zhou, Yalin & Liu, Yipeng, 2022. "Social Quality, Knowledge Hiding, and Community Capacity: A Study on Multi-Ethnic Communities in Chinese Cities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1024-1038.

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