Who is likely to hide knowledge after peer ostracism? An exchange-based perspective of contact quality and need to belong
VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems
ISSN: 2059-5891
Article publication date: 21 December 2021
Issue publication date: 2 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to uncover how peer ostracism (POS) elicits knowledge hiding directed towards ostracizing peers through the intervening role of peer contact quality (PCQ). Moreover, the authors aim to highlight the role of the need to belong (NTB) as a first-order boundary condition in direct and indirect hypothesized paths.
Design/methodology/approach
The research opted for a three-wave time-lagged survey design. The data were obtained from the 234 teaching and non-teaching employees working in Higher Educational Sector in Pakistan through random sampling. Mediation and moderated mediation analysis was done by using PROCESS Models 4 and 7.
Findings
The results embraced the mediation, moderation and moderated mediation hypotheses. It was noted that POS creates negative exchange relationships. As a result, the ostracized employees withhold knowledge from the predating peer. NTB served as a buffering agent between POS and PCQ, as well as, in the indirect POS, PCQ and peer-directed knowledge hiding relationship.
Practical implications
This research serves as a guideline for management and faculty of Higher Educational Institutions for minimization of POS to promote effective collegial contact quality and curb knowledge hiding.
Originality/value
Although the research in workplace ostracism and knowledge hiding is not new, yet how this association emerges from the viewpoint of peers is not known. This study has added to the literature by answering who is more likely to reciprocate ostracism from peers by having poor quality contact and directing knowledge hiding towards the predator. By this, the authors have added to the limited stream of moderated mediation mechanisms underlying ostracism and knowledge hiding behaviour. In addition, the authors have drawn attention to the importance of peer relationships in higher educational settings.
Keywords
Citation
Fatima, T., Bilal, A.R., Imran, M.K., Ayub, A. and Arshad, H. (2024), "Who is likely to hide knowledge after peer ostracism? An exchange-based perspective of contact quality and need to belong", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. 54 No. 1, pp. 108-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-06-2021-0097
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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