Knowledge hiding in enterprises: the role of enterprise social network (ESN) system and distrust impact to task performance

Purpose The purpose of this research is to assess the influence of enterprise social networks (ESNs) on the prevalence of knowledge hiding practices within organizations. In addition, this study investigates how distrust between employees contributes to knowledge hiding. Finally, the research seeks to determine how knowledge hiding, as a function of ESN use and distrust, impacts task performance in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach The distributed questionnaires given accounted for control variables, including gender, age range, education attainment, work experience, employment status, industry and multichoice ESNs of use in the workplace. Thirty-nine indicators were applied to measure and explore knowledge hiding based on a five-point Likert scale. This study used PLS-SEM in SmartPLS 3.0. Findings Six hypotheses were supported in this study, indicating that as levels of distrust are heightened, knowledge hiding increases and this, in turn, exerts detrimental effects on task performance. Originality/value This research identifies tacit and explicit knowledge as key factors in knowledge hiding in business organizations. It also reveals how ESNs facilitate or inhibit the transfer of certain types of knowledge. This study addresses gaps in the literature on the relationship between neglect and knowledge hiding in ESN. Previous studies have predominantly focused on ESN’s and their interpersonal elements separately, this study extends the technological stance by incorporating relational dynamics to demonstrate how ESN systems impact knowledge-hiding actions. Moreover, this integrates other studies by offering evidence for the position of distrust as a mediating factor between ESN use and work performance.