Creating competitive advantage through knowledge sharing in the digital economy

Abstract

Purpose of the paper: Starting from an extensive literature review on Knowledge Sharing (KS), this paper aims to identify factors influencing KS and to identify the impact of these factors on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Methodology: Using the Theory of Reasoned Action, we collect data by applying snowball methodology. We then analyze three major determinants of individuals’ KS attitude - expected rewards, expected associations, and expected contribution - and consequently attitude as a determinant of their intention to share knowledge. In turn, KS intention is suggested as an immediate predictor of KS behavior.

Findings: Results suggest that KS beliefs, attitudes, intentions and behavior impact on the individual use of ICT, whether in its instant or constant form. Results also confirmed that ICT is involved in the whole KS process and represents a critical component.

Research limits: The most evident limit is related to the limited generalizability of the sample investigated from which it follows that our conclusions are only tentative. We focus (the second limit) only on the salient beliefs which affect the KS attitude, because we assume that the KS behavior is motivated and executed mainly at the individual level.

Practical implications: Findings highlight how important is for organizations to provide constant ICT tools to direct its members to develop attitude, intention and behavior for enacting KS. Within this frame, they would have the ability to monitor the role of each determinant in knowledge accumulation among their members.

Originality of the paper: This paper attempts to confirm ICT as the critical component of entire KS process. In this sense, it analyzes the impact of expected rewards, expected associations, and expected contribution on the choice of ICT.