Differentiating two facets of trust in colleagues: How ethical leadership influences cross-team knowledge sharing. Issue 1 (10th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tu, Yidong; Zhang, Yangmei; Lu, Xinxin; Wang, Shuoli
• Is Part Of: Leadership & organization development journal. Volume 41:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2020-01-10
• Subjects: Knowledge sharing -- Ethical leadership -- Interpersonal trust; Organizational change -- Periodicals; Leadership -- Periodicals; 658.4
• DOI: 10.1108/LODJ-06-2019-0260
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7739

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between ethical leadership and employee cross-team knowledge sharing via the differentiating mediating effects of cognitive and affective trust in colleagues. Design/methodology/approach: Multi-source and multi-wave data were collected from 214 dyads of employees and their supervisors. Linear regression was employed to examine the hypotheses. Findings: Ethical leadership positively predicts employee cross-team knowledge sharing. Affective trust in colleagues mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and employee cross-team knowledge sharing, whereas cognitive trust in colleagues does not. The hypothesis – the mediating effect of affective trust in colleagues between ethical leadership and cross-team knowledge sharing is greater than that of cognitive trust in colleagues – is not supported. Originality/value: This study extends understanding of the influence of ethical leadership on cross-team knowledge sharing. It further differentiates cognitive and affective trust in colleagues between ethical leadership and cross-team knowledge sharing. These findings are valuable for improving the research of leadership practices and knowledge sharing.