The relationship between conscientiousness, openness to experience, knowledge-hiding behavior and job performance of employees

Purpose Knowledge-hiding behavior can lead to adverse consequences for individuals and organizations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between personality traits, knowledge-hiding behavior and job performance in the banking sector in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative approach to test the proposed research model using a linear structural modeling method. Data were collected from 291 employees working in commercial banks in Vietnam using a direct survey instrument. Findings The conscientiousness personality trait exhibits a negative relationship with explicit knowledge-hiding behavior but demonstrates a positive association with tacit knowledge-hiding behavior. Openness to experience is negatively correlated with both explicit and tacit knowledge-hiding behaviors. Explicit knowledge-hiding behavior is negatively related to job performance, whereas tacit knowledge-hiding behavior has a positive relationship with job performance. Knowledge-hiding behavior played an intermediary role in the relationship between conscientiousness and job performance. Originality/value The extent to which employees engage in knowledge hiding depends on whether the knowledge is explicit or tacit. The impact of knowledge hiding on job performance is contingent upon the nature of hidden knowledge, whether explicit or tacit, and can either diminish or enhance job performance.