A survey of 157 employees in Thailand’s digital-content industry linked burnout to more knowledge hiding and less work engagement, while knowledge hiding unexpectedly showed a positive association with engagement.
Key findings
- Burnout was positively associated with knowledge hiding and negatively associated with engagement. Knowledge hiding was positively associated with engagement, interpreted as limiting additional resource demands while maintaining focus on core tasks.
Why this matters globally
The study challenges one-size-fits-all interpretations of knowledge hiding and encourages distinction between temporary resource protection and harmful exclusion.
Thai researcher contribution
Prince of Songkla University researchers generated evidence from knowledge workers in Thailand’s digital-content economy.
Limitations to consider
Cross-sectional self-report data cannot establish temporal order. The 157-person sample may not represent the industry, and different forms of knowledge hiding may have different team consequences.