An investigation on the relationship of abusive supervision with knowledge hiding and organizational deviance: The mediating roles of employee silence and negative affectivity

BACKGROUND: Sharing of knowledge and positive workplace behavior by employees are perquisites for the success of every organization. The present study realized the significance of knowledge sharing and positive behavior in a country like India where high-power distance culture is prevalent. OBJECTIVE: The present research aimed to investigate the influence of abusive supervision on knowledge hiding and employee organizational deviance. In addition mediating roles negative affectivity and employee silence were also tested. METHODS: Data was gathered from 420 employees working in a service organization in India. SPSS vs. 23 and Amos vs. 24 were used for data analysis purposes. The techniques of SEM were applied to test the proposed hypotheses in the present research. RESULTS: The study found the positive and significant influence of abusive supervision on knowledge hiding, but the insignificant influence of abusive supervision on employee organizational deviance. The results also reflected the full mediating role of negative affectivity but the partial intervening or mediating role of employee silence between the relationships of abusive supervision with knowledge hiding and employees' organizational deviance. CONCLUSION: The study suggested the management introduce various measures to reduce abusive supervision leading to negative consequences.