Building trust through knowledge sharing: Implications for incentive system design

We examine whether knowledge sharing can enhance the efficacy of implicit, trust-based incentives. Using a stark laboratory experiment, we find support for theory suggesting that individuals believe their is an important part identity, making it costly to share, but facilitating greater trust recipients this will reciprocate with future rewards. Utilizing participants substantial work experience, results from additional scenario-based experiments demonstrate practical implications theory. Collectively, our show help others less when conveys personal relative does not absent prospect rewards, more they expect rewards (i.e., implicit incentives). Importantly, increases incentives are determined by recipient someone else (e.g., supervisor). contribute better understanding incentive systems designed promote in practice.