How and when intragroup relationship conflict leads to knowledge hiding: the roles of envy and trait competitiveness. Issue 3 (13th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, He; Bell, Chris; Li, Yiran
• Is Part Of: International journal of conflict management. Volume 32:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 383
• Page End: 406
• Publication Date: 2020-11-13
• Subjects: Affective events theory -- Envy -- Knowledge hiding -- Trait competitiveness -- Relationship conflict; Conflict management -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; Negotiation -- Periodicals; Social conflict -- Periodicals; Diplomatic negotiations in international disputes -- Periodicals; 303.6905
• DOI: 10.1108/IJCMA-03-2020-0041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1044-4068

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Although studies have demonstrated that knowledge hiding is an important inhibitor of organizational innovation, current research does not clearly address how intragroup relationship conflict influences knowledge hiding. This study aims to identify the underlying mechanism between intra-group relationship conflict and knowledge hiding. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on affective events theory (AET), the authors propose a theoretical model and empirically test it by applying hierarchical regression analysis and a bootstrapping approach to data from a multi-wave survey of 224 employees in China. Findings: Consistent with AET, the empirical results show that envy mediates perceived intragroup relationship conflict and knowledge hiding. As predicted, trait competitiveness moderates the indirect effect of perceived intragroup relationship conflict on knowledge hiding via envy. Originality/value: The results support an AET perspective whereby knowledge hiding is shaped by relationship conflict, envy and trait competitiveness. This study introduces the novel proposition that relationship conflict and competitiveness influence envy, and consequently knowledge hiding.