Purpose Knowledge sharing has become necessary for organizations as it is a source of competitive advantage. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how empowering leadership through psychological empowerment encourages employees’ knowledge-sharing (KS) behavior. This study further explores the moderating role of learning goal orientation (LGO) between psychological empowerment and KS behavior. Design/methodology/approach This study collected data from 423 employees working in manufacturing and service organizations in two waves on convenience basis to tackle common method variance. The data were analyzed through structural equation modeling. Findings The results revealed that empowering leadership helps employees modify their KS behavior both directly and indirectly in the presence of psychological empowerment. Moreover, individuals high in LGO are more likely to involve in KS behavior when psychologically empowered. Research limitations/implications This study used a cross-sectional design and suggests management focus on their working environment to enhance knowledge sharing among employees, which is possible through empowering leaders. The study further suggests management not ignore individual attributes during recruitment. Originality/value Drawing upon job characteristics model and social exchange theory, this study explores the mediating role of psychological empowerment between empowering leadership and KS behavior and the moderating role of LGO on the association between psychological empowerment and KS behavior.

PurposeEmployee work engagement has become a major concern for managers as hardly 21% of employees are engaged in their work. Therefore, this study aims to unveil the association between ethical leadership and employee engagement. Specifically, the study explores the mediating role of trust in leader between ethical leadership and employee work engagement and moderating role of harmonious work passion in the association between trust in leader and employee work engagement.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected data from 491 employees and their immediate supervisors working in various organizations (in Pakistan) through “Google Forms”. The data were analyzed through analysis of moment structure (AMOS) and structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine measurement model (for unidimensionality) and structural model (for hypotheses testing).FindingsThe study noted that ethical leaders positively influence their subordinates to engage in their work. In addition, employees' trust in leader was noted to mediate the association between ethical leadership and employee work engagement. Finally, employees high in harmonious work passion are more likely to engage in their work when perceived their leaders ethical style.Practical implicationsThe study suggests to management that fair dealing and involvement in decision-making (ethical leadership) improve employee work engagement as such practices build employees' level of trust in their leaders. In addition, management is suggested to give freedom to employees while selecting their tasks as it positively contributes to their harmonious work passion which ultimately benefits the organization.Originality/valueDrawing upon social exchange and self-determination theory, this study is the first of its kind that explored the moderating role of harmonious work passion and mediating role of trust in leader between ethical leadership and employee work engagement.