How ethical leadership influences knowledge hiding? A sequential mediation model

ABSTRACT

Knowledge hiding is considered a behavior that violates moral principles and can impede organizational competitive advantage. Previous studies have examined the factors influencing knowledge hiding from various perspectives. However, there is a limited understanding of how the assumed moral aspect of ethical leadership influences knowledge hiding. Drawing on theories of social learning, a theoretical model has been developed to establish a connection between ethical leadership and knowledge hiding. This model focuses on the chain mediating role of moral identity and cynicism and the moderating role of inclusive climate. To examine hypotheses, we collected survey data in three waves from a sample of 243 employees working in Chinese firms. The results demonstrated ethical leadership significantly suppresses knowledge hiding, and this relationship is explained by moral identity and cynicism. Furthermore, the relationship between ethical leadership/cynicism and knowledge hiding is weakened in a highly inclusive climate. The research finally discusses theoretical and practical implications, providing scholars with a future agenda.

摘要

摘要：知识隐藏被认为是违反道德准则的行为，可能会阻碍组织竞争优势的形成。先前的研究从不同的角度考察了影响知识隐藏的因素。然而，对于伦理型领导中假定的道德方面如何影响知识隐藏的理解还有限。借鉴社会学习理论，我们构建了一个理论模型，将伦理型领导和知识隐藏联系起来。该模型关注道德认同和犬儒主义的连续中介作用，以及包容性氛围的调节作用。为了验证假设，我们收集了中国企业的243名员工在三个时间点的调查数据。研究结果显示，伦理型领导显著抑制了知识隐藏，并且两者的关系可以通过道德认同和犬儒主义来解释。此外，高水平的包容性氛围削弱了伦理型领导/犬儒主义与知识隐藏之间的关系。研究最后讨论了理论与实践意义，并为学者提供了未来的研究方向。

KEYWORDS:

• Ethical leadership
• moral identity
• knowledge hiding
• cynicism
• inclusive climate

关键词:

• 伦理型领导
• 道德认同
• 知识隐藏
• 犬儒主义
• 包容型氛围

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).