Saving Face or Sharing Personal Information? A Cross-Cultural Study on Knowledge Sharing

Knowledge sharing within an organisation is increasingly important in today's fast-moving and knowledge-based economy (Chow et al., 2000, Journal of Management Accounting, 12, 65–95; Bukowitz and Petrash, 1997, Research Technology Management, 40, 24–31). This empirical study examines the interaction effects of national culture and group members' relationship (in-group/out-group) on knowledge-sharing attitude. A total of 197 Chinese undergraduate students and 111 American undergraduate students participated in the study. The first finding was that both Chinese and American students were more willing to share personal knowledge with in-group members than with out-group members. Furthermore, the results showed that same working experience between group members was more important than same national cultural background in determining people's attitude towards knowledge sharing. Another interesting finding was that Chinese participants were more willing to share personal information with an American stranger (out-group) than a Chinese stranger (in-group), while American participants showed no such difference. In summary, these findings indicate that a global organisation should take both national culture and in-group/out-group factors into consideration to facilitate knowledge sharing.

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Leading Firms as Knowledge Gatekeepers in a Networked Environment

Building the Knowledge Society on the Internet ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-816-1.ch013 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 260-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Deogratias Harorimana

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Doctoral Students ◽

Virtual Teams ◽

Large Firm ◽

Competitive Environment ◽

Industrial Districts ◽

Sociocultural Context ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy

This chapter introduces the role of the knowledge gatekeeper as a mechanism by which knowledge is created and transferred in a networked environment. Knowledge creation and transfer are essential for building a knowledge-based economy. The chapter considers obstacles that inhibit this process and argues that leading firms create a shared sociocultural context that enables the condivision of tacit meanings and codification of knowledge. Leading firms act as gatekeepers of knowledge through the creation of shared virtual platforms. There will be a leading firm that connects several networks of clients and suppliers who may not interact directly with one another, but are, indeed, connected indirectly though the leading firm that acts as a gatekeeper. The chapter argues that a large firm connecting several clients and suppliers at the multinational level represents a gatekeeper, but even individuals and focal firms in industrial districts can be gatekeepers. The author hopes that, through this discussion, academics, researchers, and doctoral students will have a comprehensive theoretical and practical basis on which to study the role of leading firms in building innovations and virtual teams of knowledge sharing in a highly networked and competitive environment.

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What Motivates Organisational Knowledge Transfer? Some Lessons from a UK-Based Multinational

Journal of Information & Knowledge Management ◽

10.1142/s0219649206001414 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 05 (02) ◽

pp. 165-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Sajjad M. Jasimuddin ◽

N. A. D. Connell ◽

Jonathan H. Klein

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Transfer ◽

Empirical Study ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Job Security ◽

Transfer Of Knowledge ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Value Of Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Organisational Knowledge

The transfer of knowledge is an important task of contemporary organisations. In the knowledge-based economy, more and more organisations have increasingly recognised and encouraged the value of knowledge transfer. However, there is sometimes a tendency to horde knowledge, perhaps through fear of losing power or through uncertainty over job security. In this paper, we consider the motivators of knowledge transfer based on an empirical study carried out in part of a UK multinational, IBM Laboratories, in which the atmosphere appeared conducive to knowledge sharing, and knowledge transfer appeared voluntary and spontaneous. The paper questions why members of an organisation like IBM might be enthusiastic about the transfer of knowledge among themselves. The paper investigates the motivating factors that encourage the transfer of knowledge. A number of motivators underlying knowledge transfer are identified.

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Bridging theory and practice with Lean Six Sigma capstone design projects

Quality Assurance in Education ◽

10.1108/qae-07-2018-0079 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 41-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hilda Cecilia Martínez León

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Six Sigma ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Lean Six Sigma ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Content Type ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Pilot Implementation ◽

Capstone Design

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the challenges academics face today in developing a knowledge-based economy. In response to these challenges, the authors developed a collaborative approach to enhancing the learning experience for engineering management (or industrial engineering) capstone design courses. The core of this approach is the problem-based learning through the execution of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) projects implemented via university–industry partnerships. The ultimate goal of this approach is to facilitate the integration and application of theoretical knowledge while promoting the development of professional skills in undergraduate students as demanded by business organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is firmly grounded in theory and methods from project management and quality management, and LSS literature and was tested in an engineering and management capstone design course at the author’s university. The case study presented here offers a detailed analysis of the design and implementation of the proposed framework. The authors also present the results of a survey conducted to assess the extent to which the proposed approach contributes to bridging the gap between theory and practice.FindingsResults from the pilot implementation and survey results revealed that students who took the enhanced LSS capstone course felt that their projects helped them gain a better understanding on how to apply the theory to practical situations while preparing them to approach and solve problems in real-world settings confidentially. The authors also found that the LSS green belt certification helped recent graduates to transition to the workforce more easily, gain more credibility among coworkers and supervisors and make contributions quicker than other new hires, get the job they wanted faster and overall advance in their careers.Originality/valueThe framework is a composition of best practices used in a variety of universities and industries. While the majority of the LSS university-based programs are typically offered at the graduate level and with limited (support for) project executions, the framework proposed here provides the infrastructure for solid company staff-student team collaborations on projects executed from inception to implementation.

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Computer-Mediated Knowledge Sharing

Building the Knowledge Society on the Internet ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-816-1.ch005 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 89-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kimiz Dalkir

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Social Presence ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Future Research ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Computer Mediated

Computer-mediated communication has become the foremost means of sharing knowledge in today’s knowledge-based economy. However, not all Internet-based knowledge-sharing channels are created equal: they differ in their effectiveness when used for exchanging knowledge. A number of factors influence the efficacies of knowledge exchange, including: (1) characteristics of the knowledge being exchanged and, (2) characteristics of the channels used. It is therefore necessary to define key knowledge and channel attributes in order to understand how knowledge can be effectively shared using computers. This chapter examines the computer-mediated knowledge sharing mechanisms and proposes a typology based on media richness and social presence characteristics that can serve as a preliminary conceptual basis to select the most appropriate channel. The chapter concludes with a discussion of key issues and future research directions. While much of the research has been done in organizational settings, the chapter is applicable to all forms of computer-mediated communication.

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Knowledge Producers and Consumers

Encyclopedia of Knowledge Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-573-3.ch060 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 459-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Atreyi Kankanhalli ◽

Bernard C.Y. Tan ◽

Kwok-Kee Wei

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Organizational Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Individual Knowledge ◽

The Individual

In a knowledge-based economy, organizations find it difficult to compete based upon the individual knowledge of a few organizational members. This provides the rationale for knowledge management wherein organizational knowledge must be shared, combined, and reused in order to enable organizations to compete more effectively. Hence, knowledge sharing is considered an essential process in knowledge management. Unfortunately, sharing is often unnatural for the parties involved in it, that is, knowledge contributors or producers and knowledge seekers or consumers. Hoarding knowledge and not accepting knowledge from others are natural tendencies that are difficult to change (Davenport & Prusak, 1998). Knowledge contributors may be inhibited from sharing their knowledge due to perceptions of loss of power, lack of time or incentives, and other barriers. Knowledge seekers may find it laborious to seek advice from others and desire to discover solutions for themselves. Therefore, it is vital to understand and foster the motivations of knowledge contributors and seekers toward participating in knowledge sharing.

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The Influence of Social Networking and Library 2.0 as a Gateway for Information Access and Knowledge Sharing in Africa

Advances in Library and Information Science - Information Access and Library User Needs in Developing Countries ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-4353-6.ch003 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 30-42

Author(s):

Manir Abdullahi Kamba

Keyword(s):

Social Networking ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Information Access ◽

Global Scale ◽

Human Existence ◽

Information Environment ◽

Access To Information ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy

The chapter tries to highlight the influence of social networking and library 2.0 in providing access to information and knowledge sharing in Africa. It further discusses the panorama at which the information environment is changing from traditional to electronic, where access to information and knowledge stands to benefit all. The chapter, however, exhibits that in most developing worlds today the electronic information environment is gradually spreading and obviously will take time to be fully integrated into the systems, especially in Africa. The chapter provides a highlight on the value, usefulness, access to information, and knowledge sharing, which has become a necessary component for human existence and development. The premise is that librarians’ role is to facilitate this effective management and promote access to information and knowledge sharing through the influence of social networking and library 2.0; this in turn will strengthen and empower the African people to be among global players in the knowledge-based economy. The emergence of Web 2.0 principles and technologies that has given rise to social networking and library 2.0 offer libraries and information centers many opportunities for sharing information and knowledge among people regardless of distance or geographical areas. This reaches out beyond the walls of the library and Websites of any library or institutions. These developments make it possible for people to share knowledge and information online, borrow locally, and buy or sell on a global scale as appropriate to their needs and circumstances.

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Is Introversion an Obstacle in Tacit Knowledge Sharing through Socialization? A Study on how Personality Traits Influence Knowledge Sharing Behavior

Dalhousie Journal of Interdisciplinary Management ◽

10.5931/djim.v12i1.6442 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anne Karete Nowers Hvidsten

Keyword(s):

Personality Traits ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Tacit Knowledge ◽

Explicit Knowledge ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Efficient Management ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Tacit Knowledge Sharing ◽

Sharing Behavior

In today’s knowledge-based economy, efficient management of an organization’s intellectual capital is becoming increasingly important. Tacit knowledge, as opposed to explicit knowledge, is an organization’s most vital knowledge, and this knowledge should be shared among co-workers in an efficient way. It is therefore crucial for managers to be aware of which factors that have an either positive or negative impact on the sharing of tacit knowledge. Personality is a factor that influence tacit knowledge sharing. Tacit knowledge is best shared through practices that require social interaction. This paper investigates the relation between tacit knowledge sharing and introversion in particular. Introverts are perceived to be withdrawn, quiet, and to have poorer social skills than extraverts, and therefore might have an inhibiting effect on knowledge sharing. However, by examining existing literature, this paper shows that typical introverted personality traits serve as both motivators and obstacles in tacit knowledge sharing.

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Modeling the Knowledge Sharing Barriers

Business Intelligence ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-9562-7.ch102 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 2049-2066

Author(s):

B. P. Sharma ◽

M. D. Singh

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Management Commitment ◽

Top Management Commitment ◽

Managerial Implications ◽

Survival And Growth ◽

Engineering Industries

In the knowledge-based economy, the survival and growth of the engineering industries depends upon the knowledge management (KM). In the present environment, KS is the corner stone of the KM. Some variables hinder KS in the industries are known as knowledge sharing barriers (KSBs). The objective of this paper is to identify and recognize the critical KSBs and their mutual influences in the industries. The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology has been used to develop hierarchy of the identified KSBs evolving their mutual relationships. Identified KSBs at the root of the hierarchy (called driving KSBs) and at the top of the hierarchy (called dependent KSBs). It is observed that two KSBs namely “lack of top management commitment” and “KM is not well understood” have highest driving power. Therefore, these KSBs require serious attention by the managers in the engineering industries. The study concludes with discussion and managerial implications.

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Chinese Cultural Values and Knowledge Sharing

Business Intelligence ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-9562-7.ch072 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 1482-1490

Author(s):

Alan K.M. Au ◽

Matthew C.H. Yeung

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Information Sharing ◽

Cultural Values ◽

21St Century ◽

Chinese Context ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Social Pressures ◽

Knowledge Based Economy ◽

Confucian Philosophy ◽

Chinese Cultural Values

In order to address the growing economic and social pressures of the 21st Century, Chinese must build solid foundations for a knowledge-based economy. However, knowledge sharing is relatively uncommon in Chinese communities and there has been little success in understanding the motivations and barriers of knowledge sharing in the Chinese context and thus there appears to be no systematic way to analyze the obstacles to information sharing among Chinese. In possession of Chinese cultural values has been commonly regarded as the reason for knowledge hoarding among Chinese. The present study examines whether or not Chinese's Confucian philosophy is responsible for the reluctance of knowledge sharing.

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