Dark volunteerism and knowledge-hiding behaviours: Mediating role of pride

Abstract

Purpose: Using moral licensing theory, this study investigated the relationship between volunteering and knowledge hiding. Moreover, pride (authentic and hubristic pride) is a mediator between volunteering and knowledge-hiding.

Design/methodology/approach: This study used a time-lag approach and a sample of 545 individuals from Pakistani public-sector research-oriented institutions. The partial least squares structural equation modelling method is applied through SmartPLS 4 for data analysis.

Findings/results: Volunteering has a significant association with rationalised hiding. However, it has no significant association with evasive hiding and playing dumb. The mediation analyses revealed that authentic pride and hubristic pride significantly mediate between volunteering and knowledge hiding. The results show that hubristic pride mediates the impact of volunteering on rationalised hiding and playing dumb better than authentic pride. On the other hand, authentic pride significantly mediates the relationship between volunteering and evasive hiding.

Practical implications: The study extends the generalisability of moral licensing theory and provides considerable implications for organisations, particularly research-oriented departments.

Originality/value: Drawing upon moral licensing theory, this study supplies a rare perspective on the adverse outcomes of apparently good organisational behaviours by investigating how employee volunteering engenders knowledge-hiding behaviours in the workplace. These findings imply businesses should carefully monitor employee volunteering to avoid negative consequences and promote cooperation rather than knowledge-hiding.