The mediating influence of perceived workplace ostracism on the relationship between interpersonal distrust and knowledge hiding and the moderating role of person-organization unfit

Experiencing ostracism at work is traumatic, adversely impacting employees' mental health, attitudes, and behaviors. Although the effects of workplace ostracism have captured academic interest, holistic models identifying its antecedents' determinants and ramifications are scarce. This research conducts a holistic investigation of perceived workplace ostracism by evaluating how interpersonal distrust influences it and the knock-on effect on knowledge hiding. Moreover, it investigates the moderating role of person-organization unfit in the proposed perceived workplace ostracism–knowledge hiding relationship. Data gathered from 242 employees in the United Arab Emirates was analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that interpersonal distrust positively affects perceived workplace ostracism, which in turn drives knowledge hiding. Additionally, person-organization unfit moderates perceived workplace ostracism's influence on knowledge hiding, with high unfit exacerbating the effect. We discuss our findings' practical and theoretical implications and suggest future avenues for research.