Perception of organizational politics, knowledge hiding and organizational citizenship behavior: the moderating effect of political skill

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the conservation of resource (COR) theory, this study investigates the association between the perception of organizational politics and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) while considering the mediating role of knowledge hiding and moderating role of political skill in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in a time-lagged survey in two waves with a three-week interval from frontline employees and their peers working in private sector banks in India. The hypothesized relationships were ascertained using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Findings

The results revealed a negative association between the perception of organizational politics and OCBs targeted at co-workers (OCBI), organization (OCBO) and customers (OCBC), both directly and indirectly, via knowledge hiding. Additionally, the negative indirect effect of the perception of organizational politics on OCB facets, via knowledge hiding, is buffered for individuals with high levels of political skill.

Originality/value

The current study portrays a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between the perception of organizational politics and OCB, with a particular emphasis on identifying the unidentified factors that may impact this liaison.

Citation

Kaur, N. and Kang, L.S. (2023), "Perception of organizational politics, knowledge hiding and organizational citizenship behavior: the moderating effect of political skill", Personnel Review, Vol. 52 No. 3, pp. 649-670. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-08-2020-0607