Knowledge sharing behaviour – Impacts of trust climate and attachment to knowledge

Abstract

SummaryKnowledge sharing is considered vital for the success of the organisations as the knowledge driven economy demands knowledge specific asset building rather than physical asset building). In this study, the role of trust environment, the perceived benefits, Expected reciprocation and the sense of attachment to knowledge affecting the knowledge sharing behaviour of employees in Knowledge centric organisations are assessed. A structural model fit of the variables involved in the study revealed that expected reciprocation and a trust based environment is positively affecting the knowledge sharing behaviour. Attachment to knowledge will strongly hinder the knowledge sharing initiatives whereas perceived benefits will not have any direct impact on knowledge sharing. This study suggests that Organisations can not encourage knowledge sharing amongst its employees by merely providing incentives and benefits. It requires a trust based environment which can strongly encourage knowledge sharing and simultaneously mitigate the employee's attachment to knowledge (perceived loss of knowledge power) which emerged as a strong detractor of knowledge sharing behaviour.