The Moderating Role of Power Distance Orientation on the Relationship between Abusive Supervision and Coworker- Directed Knowledge Hiding In the Sri Lankan Information Technology Sector

Abstract

Knowledge hiding, a deliberate attempt to withhold critical information, becomes a passive form of resistance to perceived mistreatment. In this study, grounded in displaced aggression theory (DAT), we argue that abusive supervision fosters a psychological atmosphere where employees, feeling incapable or reluctant to challenge their supervisors, project their frustration onto their peers by withholding valuable knowledge. Furthermore, we examine power distance orientation, where employees who accept hierarchical authority may be more likely to share knowledge than hide it, aligning with organizational norms. We employed a quantitative research design using a survey methodology. Data were collected using a convenience sampling method from a sample of 215 employees in Sri Lankan IT organizations. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between abusive supervision and coworker-directed knowledge hiding (r = .39, p < .01). The hierarchical regression showed that abusive supervision significantly predicted knowledge hiding (β = .30, p < .001), and moderation analysis demonstrated that power distance orientation significantly moderated the relationship between abusive supervision and knowledge hiding (interaction term β = −.24, p < .05). Employees with low power distance orientation showed a stronger positive relationship (β = .39, SE = 0.07, p < .001). Conversely, the relationship was weaker among those with high power distance orientation (β = .18, SE = 0.06, p < .001). These findings highlight the need for organizations to actively monitor and address abusive supervisory behavior, particularly in culturally diverse settings. This study is limited by its cross-sectional design, which restricts the ability to infer causality. Future research could adopt a longitudinal design to establish causal relationships more firmly.