From Inclusion to Expression: The Mediating Mechanism of Psychological Ownership in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Purpose – This study is based on the social exchange theory (SET) and intends to study the influence of inclusive leadership (IL) on employees’ voice behaviors (VB) and knowledge-sharing behaviors (KSB). It particularly investigates the role of psychological ownership (PO) as a mediating mechanism between inclusive leadership, voice behavior, and knowledge-sharing behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey study was performed to gather data from 459 faculty members working in both public and private universities of the Punjab, Pakistan. SPSS and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-SEM) have been used for hypothesis testing.

Findings – The study findings showed a significant and positive association between IL and VB. However, the direct relationship between IL and KSB was insignificant. The direct relationship between IL and PO was also found to be significant and positive. Also, the relationships between IL and VB and IL and KSB were observed to be significant and positive in the presence of PO as a mediator.

Originality/value – This study enhances the present theory of SET by confirming the role of PO as a mediating mechanism between both IL and VB and IL and KSB simultaneously, specifically, in the context of higher education institutions (HEIs) operating in the province of Punjab, Pakistan.