Knowledge-sharing hostility and governance mechanisms: an empirical test

Author： Husted Kenneth Michailova Snejina Minbaeva Dana B. Pedersen Torben

ISSN： 1367-3270

Source： Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol.16, Iss.5, 2012-09, pp. : 754-773

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Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims at further developing and empirically examining the concept of knowledge-sharing hostility. It seeks to analyze reasons for hoarding knowledge, reasons for rejecting external knowledge, and attitudes towards mistakes, as well as the influence of these factors on actual knowledge-sharing behavior. The paper aims to examine how two specific knowledge-governance mechanisms - commitment-based and transaction-based mechanisms - affect knowledge sharing Design/methodology/approach - The authors test the hypotheses on a sample of 1,639 respondents in 15 organizations in Denmark. Findings - The authors find that the use of transaction-based mechanisms promotes knowledge-sharing hostility by strengthening individuals' reasons for hoarding and rejecting knowledge, and by negatively affecting individuals' attitudes towards sharing knowledge about mistakes. In contrast, the use of commitment-based mechanisms diminishes knowledge-sharing hostility among individuals. Originality/value - The contribution of the paper is two-fold. First, it responds to the clear need to examine individual characteristics related to withholding knowledge in organizations. Second, by delineating specific organizational governance mechanisms that are critical for dealing with knowledge-sharing hostility, the research responds to the call for research aimed at explaining and detailing problems that lie in the intersection of organization and knowledge processes.