Why share? : Motivational Predictors of Individual Knowledge Sharing in Expert Work
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: An ever larger share of organizations depend on knowledge for success. It can, however, only be utilized if individuals engage in sharing their knowledge; and hence, knowledge sharing is considered a critical employee behavior in expert work. While it is collectively desirable to share knowledge, for an individual knowledge sharing is a discretionary behavior, and one that may entail risks and costs. Hence, the aim of the present study was to shed light on the predictors of knowledge sharing with a focus on motivation to share, and its quality. This aspect has not been well covered in prior research. The model of knowledge sharing motivation by Gagnè (2009), which combines the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), was used as a research framework. Knowledge sharing was investigated in two different work contexts. In terms of methods, the study included both a qualitative belief elicitation study (n=18), and a survey based quantitative study with a prospective design (T1 n=200; T2 n=95). The data was collected from a public sector expert organization. Study I established that the elicited shared outcome beliefs reflected the different knowledge sharing contexts. Furthermore, outcome beliefs (attitudes), subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted knowledge sharing intentions, which, together with perceived behavioral control, predicted actual knowledge sharing in work meetings, lending support for the utility of elicitation studies. The same essentially applied to knowledge sharing in informal personal interactions. Study II established that the sense of personal importance and value congruence, labelled identified regulation, was the best motivational quality to predict knowledge sharing both in work meetings and in informal personal interactions, as well as tacit knowledge sharing. External regulation to share was positively, and identified regulation to share negatively associated with knowledge withholding. Studies III and IV lent empirical support for Gagné s model. Attitudes, autonomous motivation, and subjective norms predicted knowledge sharing intentions, which predicted knowledge sharing two months later (R2=.42; R2=.41). When autonomous motivation was replaced by identified regulation, the model improved. The study demonstrated that identified regulation was the best motivational quality to predict knowledge sharing, but it was also a better predictor than outcome beliefs and subjective norms. Treating knowledge sharing as a context-embedded behavior seemed justified. Elicitation study was deemed an effective way to generate information of shared underlying behavioral beliefs.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Minna Stenius
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems and Management
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2553868996