Drawing on the assumptions of social exchange and conversation of resource theories, this study aims to empirically explore the underlying mechanism between perceived injustice and knowledge hiding in the organizational context. To explicate the relationship, this study examines the catalytic roles of employees' self-serving behavior and perceived organizational politics. Methods: A moderated-mediation model is developed and tested. Data collected from 234 individuals from both manufacturing and service sector firms. Results:The findings of the study propose that self-serving behavior positively mediates the link between perceived injustice and knowledge hiding. Moreover, the result of two-way interaction between employees' self-serving behavior and perceived organizational politics further amplifies the indirect relationship between perceived injustice and knowledge hiding. Conclusion:The findings of this study help to enrich the extant research on knowledge hiding by determining and evaluating the factors that hitherto unspecified and explicate the relationship between perceived injustice and knowledge hiding within the organizational contexts. Moreover, this also highlights the importance of employing both individual and contextual elements together while studying knowledge hiding within the organizations.

IntroductionDrawing on the assumptions of approach/inhibition theory of power and conservation of resource of theory, this study aims to empirically explore the relationship between fear of losing power and knowledge hiding. To explicate the relationship, this study examines the mediating role of self-serving behavior and moderating role of personal competitiveness.MethodsTo evaluate the relationships, a moderated-mediation model is devised and tested. Data is collected through a web-based questionnaire from 194 individuals employed in both manufacturing and service sector firms of Pakistan. Multiple statistical software packages are used to analyze the data.ResultsAfter employing several statistical techniques, the findings of the study suggest that self-serving behavior fully mediates the link between fear of losing power and knowledge hiding. Moreover, the result of two-way interaction reveals that personal competitiveness further amplifies the indirect relationship between fear of losing power and knowledge hiding through self-serving behavior.DiscussionThe present study is one of those few types that investigates and uncovers the hidden links between fear of losing power and knowledge hiding. Lastly, theoretical, and practical implications along with future research directions are discussed.