Behind Knowledge Hiding Behavior

Abstract

AbstractThe study aims to understand the reasons behind knowledge hiding behavior. Knowledge hiding is a common phenomenon in organizations done intentionally by an individual to withhold or conceal knowledge that another has requested. Knowledge hiding becomes a contrarian behavior that violates the organization’s explicit and implicit social norms. The employee uses many types and strategies to hide their knowledge and reasons that triggered them to do knowledge hiding behavior. The research uses a qualitative method with a depth interview tool to understand employee reasons for hiding knowledge. Five informants with different biographical characteristics were involved in the research. The findings show that employees who hide their knowledge in tacit knowledge find it hard to explain their knowledge to others. An employee who hides his knowledge in the form of explicit knowledge does not want to share his knowledge because he is afraid of being imitated by others. Employees do some strategies in knowledge hiding behavior such as playing dumb, evasive hiding and rationalized hiding. The study results also differ in gender, age, educational level, and personality.