Knowledge Sharing: A Review & Directions for Future Research

MHR1023: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Sheng, Wang and Noe, Raymond A., (2009). Knowledge Sharing: A Review and Directions

for Future Research. Human Resource Management Review. 20 (2010). 115-131

REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

ISSUES

CONCLUSION

Critical organizational resource that provides a sustainable competitive

advantage in a competitive and dynamic economy

Knowledge sharing between employees and within and across teams allows organizations to exploit and

capitalize on knowledge-based resources (Cabrera & Cabrera, 2005; Damodaran & Olphert,

2000; Davenport & Prusak, 1998)

INTRODUCTION

Self-evaluations influence knowledge sharing

Job and organizational

attitudes influence on knowledge sharing

Effect organizational culture on knowledge sharing

Integrate from several discipline influence knowledge sharing

ISSUES IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Prior reviews have focused on technological issues involved in knowledge sharing or knowledge transfer across units, organizations, or within inter-organization networks.

Other researchers believe that all information is considered knowledge but knowledge is more than just information, knowledge includes information and know-how

Difference Knowledge Transfer & Exchange•Knowledge transfer involves both the sharing of knowledge by the knowledge source and the acquisition and application of knowledge by the recipient.•knowledge exchange includes both knowledge sharing and employees providing knowledge to others and knowledge seeking or employees searching for knowledge from others.

ISSUES IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING: Integrate from several discipline influence knowledge sharing

Lin and lee (2006) found that executive' perceptions of the relative advantage of knowledge sharing for the business, compatibility to existing business process, and complexity to encourage knowledge sharing served as mediators between organizational climate and an organization's intention to encourage knowledge sharing. Several studies found no relationship between extrinsic motivation and knowledge sharing intentions or attitudes toward knowledge sharing

Emphasized the need to align incentives and knowledge sharing. The results of these studies suggest that team characteristics and processes influence knowledge sharing among team members.

Knowledge sharing does; however, appear to be contingent on individuals' confidence of sharing useful knowledge with others.

ISSUES IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING: Effect organizational culture on knowledge sharing

Social exchange• Occur among

employees across teams

• Knowledge transfer from strong or weak tie perspectives suggest potential research questions on knowledge sharing.

Influence of attitudes• Been investigated

rather extensively using the theory of reasoned action

• Understanding how to enhance positive attitudes toward knowledge sharing

Create disincentive for knowledge• Becomes a common

good and individuals lose their distinctiveness compared to others

• Refrain from sharing knowledge for fear of losing power

• (Bordia, 2006) Directly examined the evaluation apprehension–knowledge sharing relationship.

ISSUES IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING: Job and organizational attitudes influence on knowledge

sharing

Core self-evaluations influence knowledge sharing through

influencing perception of the usefulness of knowledge sharing

and reducing evaluation apprehension.

Leadership characteristics may affect the level of team knowledge

sharing through creating knowledge sharing norms

(Quigley, 2007).

Leader–member exchanges may mediate the justice–

knowledge sharing relationship.

ISSUES IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING: Self-evaluations influence knowledge sharing

Measured

•Using either willingness or intention to share knowledge or self-reported knowledge sharing behaviors•Combined knowledge sharing with utilizing knowledge and or seeking knowledge

Examine•Help increase the validity of knowledge sharing measures•Culture emphasizing trust and innovation is conducive to knowledge sharing•Management support for knowledge sharing may be demonstrated by emphasizing sharing “lessons learned” instead of “mistakes made”.

ISSUES IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING: E-systems and member groups’ issues

5 essential aspects:

Organizational contextInterpersonal characteristic

Team characteristic

Motivational factor

Individual characteristic

CONCLUSION

Gives overall view of KSS concept at

individual level

Lack of statistical analysis. Method of

statistical analysis might contribute

proper study