Exploring the affective mechanism linking perceived organizational support and knowledge sharing intention: a moderated mediation model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderated mediation model in which the effect of perceived organizational support (POS) on knowledge sharing intention is mediated by levels of individual affective commitment to the organization, while the relationship between POS and affective commitment is moderated by organizational tenure. Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses on mediation, moderation and moderated mediation were tested with data collected from Korean for-profit organizations. Conditional process analyses with bootstrapping supported all three hypotheses. Findings The findings demonstrate that the relationship between POS and knowledge sharing intention is mediated by affective organizational commitment. In addition, the mediation effect is strengthened when an individual’s organizational tenure is low. Theoretical and practical implications and directions for future research are followed. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on knowledge sharing by providing a basis for understanding the mediating mechanism through which POS influences knowledge sharing intention, and, ultimately, organizational functioning via individual affective attitude. This is the first attempt examining the role of organizational tenure as a key contingency factor in knowledge sharing. By investigating the underlying logic of individual intention to share knowledge, this study expands the current spectrum for knowledge management.