Leader-member exchange differentiation, knowledge hiding, and employee voice: Mediation of workplace ostracism

Authors

  • Noman Mustafa Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
  • Muhammad Mansoor Asghar Department of Management Sciences, University of Jhang, Jhang, 35200, Pakistan.
  • Naila Erum Accounting Research Institute (HICoE), University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Samia Khalid Riphah institute of clinical and professional psychology, Riphah international university, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Khurram Abbas Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan.
  • Farah Aida Ahmad Nadzri Accounting Research Institute (HICoE), University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp541-565

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The effectiveness of knowledge sharing between leaders and their subordinates in organisational settings is a crucial factor in determining both their performance and the success of the organisation. This study contends that existing literature requires additional exploration of the correlation between leader-member exchange and knowledge hiding. Based on the conservation of resource theory, this study investigates the relationship between leader-member exchange and knowledge hiding, with workplace ostracism mediating the relationship, and employee voice in a public sector organisational context in Pakistan.

Methodology: This study applied a quantitative methodology to examine the hypotheses empirically. A cross-sectional survey method was employed to collect data from 156 employees of Pakistani public sector organisations. The data was then analysed using Preacher and Hayes mediation technique to explore the mediation in the study model.

Findings: The empirical results confirmed the study's theory that workplace ostracism plays a mediating role in the relationship between leader-member exchange and employees' knowledge hiding. The study finds that in the absence of high-quality leader-member exchange, employees tend to exhibit knowledge hiding as they feel ostracised by their supervisors in public sector organizations in Pakistan.

Contributions: This study provides novel insights into the relationship between leader-member exchange, workplace ostracism, and knowledge hiding in a Pakistani public sector working environment.

Keywords: Leader-member exchange, workplace ostracism, conservation of resource, employee voice, knowledge hiding.

Author Biographies

  • Noman Mustafa, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy.

    Dr. Noman Mustafa is a Post doctoral researcher at  Scoula Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy. He holds a P.h.D in "Economics and Management of Sustainability & Innovation" from LUM, Italy. His research interests include Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategy and Innovation, and Organizational Behavior.

  • Muhammad Mansoor Asghar, Department of Management Sciences, University of Jhang, Jhang, 35200, Pakistan.

    Dr Muhammad Mansoor Asghar has done his PhD (Business Administration) from the prestigious Beijing Institute of Technology, China in 2020. He has been serving as an assistant professor on a contract basis in the Management Sciences Department (University of Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan) since 2021 to date.

  • Naila Erum, Accounting Research Institute (HICoE), University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia.

    Dr. Naila Erum is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seremban Campus, Malaysia. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Accounting Research Institute, UiTM Shah Alam. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at Rawalpindi Women University, Pakistan. She holds a PhD in Government and Public Policy and a master’s in economics. Her research focuses on governance, sustainability, energy policy, and public finance.

  • Samia Khalid, Riphah institute of clinical and professional psychology, Riphah international university, Lahore, Pakistan.

    Dr. Samia Khalid is pursuing a PhD in Psychology with a research focus on Organizational and Health Psychology. She has been serving as a Senior Lecturer at the Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional Psychology, Lahore, since 2018. In addition to her academic role, she also works as a Lifestyle Medicine expert at the Riphah Institute of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Samia is actively engaged in teaching, clinical practice, research supervision, and the facilitation of training workshops.

  • Khurram Abbas, Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan.

    Dr Khurram Abbas is an assistant professor (behavioural finance). He holds a PhD. in Management Sciences and Engineering from Central South University, Changsha, China. His areas of research are Behavioral Finance, Culture Studies and Household Financial Decision Making.

  • Farah Aida Ahmad Nadzri, Accounting Research Institute (HICoE), University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia.

    Dr. Farah Aida Ahmad Nadzri is a Research Fellow at the Accounting Research Institute and Senior Lecturer at UiTM. She holds a PhD in Accountancy from UiTM and degrees in accounting and finance from New Zealand. With over ten years of teaching experience, her research focuses on Islamic microfinance, zakat, risk management, and governance. She serves as Managing Editor of the Asia-Pacific Management Accounting Journal. Her work promotes integrity, innovation, and ethical financial systems.

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Published

2025-07-31

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2: Journal of Nusantara Studies(JONUS)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Leader-member exchange differentiation, knowledge hiding, and employee voice: Mediation of workplace ostracism. (2025). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 10(2), 541-565. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp541-565