Journal of Management and Business Solutions 3092-7226 3 Serial Number 12 2025 08 14 Identifying the Causes of Knowledge Hoarding in Professional Service Firms: A Phenomenological Approach Identifying the Causes of Knowledge Hoarding in Professional Service Firms: A Phenomenological Approach EN Journal Article 2024 11 14 <p>Knowledge hoarding is a subtle yet pervasive issue in professional service environments. This study adopts a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of 15 consultants from top-tier consulting and accounting firms who have observed or engaged in knowledge withholding behaviors. Analysis revealed four interrelated causes: fear of losing competitive edge, lack of organizational reward for sharing, cultural distrust, and unclear knowledge ownership. Participants emphasized the silent organizational norms that reinforce protective knowledge behaviors. Findings highlight the need for systemic interventions to build a collaborative knowledge-sharing culture in knowledge-intensive firms.</p>