Knowledge sharing: A review and directions for future research

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t The success of knowledge management initiatives depends on knowledge sharing. This paper reviews qualitative and quantitative studies of individual-level knowledge sharing. Based on the literature review we developed a framework for understanding knowledge sharing research. The framework identifies five areas of emphasis of knowledge sharing research: organizational context, interpersonal and team characteristics, cultural characteristics, individual characteristics, and motivational factors. For each emphasis area the paper discusses the theoretical frameworks used and summarizes the empirical research results. The paper concludes with a discussion of emerging issues, new research directions, and practical implications of knowledge sharing research. Knowledge is a critical organizational resource that provides a sustainable competitive advantage in a competitive and dynamic economy (e. To gain a competitive advantage it is necessary but insufficient for organizations to rely on staffing and training systems that focus on selecting employees who have specific knowledge, skills, abilities, or competencies or helping employees acquire them (e.g., Brown & Duguid, 1991). Organizations must also consider how to transfer expertise and knowledge from experts who have it to novices who need to know (Hinds, Patterson, & Pfeffer, 2001). That is, organizations need to emphasize and more effectively exploit knowledge-based resources that already exist within the organization As one knowledge-centered activity, knowledge sharing is the fundamental means through which employees can contribute to knowledge application, innovation, and ultimately the competitive advantage of the organization (Jackson, Chuang, Harden, Jiang, & Joseph, 2006). Knowledge sharing between employees and within and across teams allows organizations to exploit and capitalize on knowledge-based resources Research has shown that knowledge sharing and combination is positively related to reductions in production costs, faster completion of new product development projects, team performance, firm innovation capabilities, and firm performance including sales growth and revenue from new products and services (e. Because of the potential benefits that can be realized from knowledge sharing, many organizations have invested considerable time and money into knowledge management (KM) initiatives including the development of knowledge management systems (KMS) which use state-of-the-art technology to facilitate the collection, storage, and distribution of knowledge. However, despite these investments it has been estimated that at least $31.5 billion are lost per year by Fortune 500