When workplace incivility begets ineffectual employee silence-the role of rationalized knowledge hiding and regulation of emotion

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between workplace incivility (WIN) and ineffectual employee silence (IES) through rationalized knowledge-hiding (RKH) and regulation of emotion, drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) and social exchange theory (SET).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a cross-sectional design and used the partial least squares (PLS)-structural equational modeling (SEM) algorithm to test the reliability, validity of the measurement and hypotheses using a sample of 252 information technology (IT) professionals.

Findings

The results demonstrate that experienced WIN and RKH behavior significantly exacerbate IES. On the other side, the regulation of emotion decreases the negative influence of WIN and aids in the reduction of IES.

Practical implications

The study suggests that organizations should take appropriate measures to alleviate WIN, which might prevent concealing information/knowledge, IES and encourage employees to practice regulation of emotion.

Originality/value

The study significantly contributes to the relationship between uncivil behavior and ES and expands the knowledge on the mediating roles of RKH and regulation of emotion.

Citation

Ballekura, B. and Vilvanathan, L. (2023), "When workplace incivility begets ineffectual employee silence-the role of rationalized knowledge hiding and regulation of emotion", Kybernetes, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-08-2022-1133