The impact of job crafting on knowledge hiding behavior in organizations: A moderated mediation model

Purpose –The purpose of this research is to investigate the dark side of job crafting by examining its impact on knowledge hiding behavior in organizations while incorporating the mediating role of job-based psychological ownership and the moderating role of ethical leadership. Design/methodology/approach – Data from a sample of 320 respondents in China was collected over three waves spanning three months. Five hypotheses were tested using hierarchal regression analysis and bootstrapping method. Findings –The findings show that job crafting is positively related to knowledge hiding behavior; job-based PO positively mediates job crafting-knowledge hiding relationship; ethical leadership negatively moderates the relationship between job-based PO and knowledge hiding behavior; ethical leadership weakens the mediating effect of job-based PO on the relationship between job crafting and knowledge hiding behavior. Originality/value –This study provides a new perspective for organizations to recognize the dark side of job crafting by applying the extended self theory, thereby enriching the scope of research on job crafting’s negative side. By introducing ethical leadership as a moderating variable, this study also provides answers to when negative consequences of job-based PO will be mitigated.