Dilemma Between ‘It's My or It's My Organization's Territory'

Abstract

In this research article, the authors attempted to compare how and to what extent knowledge base psychological ownership (KBPO), organization based psychological ownership (OBPO) and territoriality predict knowledge hiding behavior in different knowledge base industries in India. A sample of 429 employees from four knowledge base industries - Audio & Video, Machinery Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical and Telecom - was surveyed on the four constructs. A Hierarchical Regression method was used to determine whether KBPO and OBPO had direct effects on knowledge hiding, or indirect effects via Territoriality. The authors also tested whether OBPO moderated the indirect positive effect of KBPO on knowledge hiding. It has been found that KBPO has indirect effect on knowledge hiding behavior which is mediated by Territoriality in various knowledge base sectors except the Telecom Industry. Territoriality is antecedent to knowledge hiding in all knowledge base industries in India. OBPO does not have any direct or indirect effect on knowledge hiding but moderates positively the relationship between KBPO and knowledge hiding in the Machinery Manufacturing industry.