Understanding knowledge hiding in the context of virtual workplaces

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the implications of virtual work arrangements on employee knowledge hiding (KH) behaviour and the different strategies of KH used by employees in these arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a grounded theory approach to understanding KH, 21 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with employees engaged in virtual working setups. The data collected from these informants were then analysed using qualitative methods.

Findings

The study revealed that virtual work arrangements increase employee KH behaviour because of three reasons: ease of hiding, digital burnout and loss of control. Further, the study found that rationalized hiding is the most commonly adopted strategy by employees engaged in virtual work arrangements, while inclinations towards evasive hiding strategy decrease in this arrangement.

Originality/value

This is the first study in knowledge management literature that seeks to explain KH in the virtual work context.

Citation

Choudhary, S. and Mishra, K. (2023), "Understanding knowledge hiding in the context of virtual workplaces", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. 53 No. 3, pp. 566-589. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-10-2020-0185