The Role of Ego Depletion and Autonomy in the Relationship Between Time-pressure and Knowledge-based Behavior

This research explored the mechanisms by which time-pressure may influence different
knowledge-based behavior, e.g., knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding. Based on the strength
model of self-control, we proposed that ego depletion may explain why time-pressure may
decrease knowledge sharing and increase knowledge hiding. Moreover, based on the job demand
control model, we also proposed that job autonomy would weaken the positive association
between time-pressure and ego depletion. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a daily diary study
over ten workdays. We recruited 24 employees from a post-graduate class in a university in
Myanmar to participate in our study and made 153 observations. We found that time-pressure was
associated with increased ego depletion. We also found a positively but marginally significant
association between time-pressure and evasive knowledge hiding and playing dumb knowledge
hiding. A small negative mediation effect of ego depletion was found on the relationship between
time-pressure and knowledge sharing. Moreover, we found a significant moderation effect of job
autonomy on the relationship between time-pressure and ego depletion. This study contributes to
extant research by exploring for the first time the underlying mechanisms by which time-pressure
influences knowledge sharing and clarifying the mixed results found in previous studies of the
relationship between time-pressure and knowledge hiding

Keywords:

Ego depletion

Diary study

Autonomy

Knowledge hiding

Knowledge sharing

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