Exploring the Influence of Socio-Emotional Factors on Knowledge Management Practices: A Case Study

The objective of this empirical study is to explore the influence of socioemotional factors, with a focus on shyness, on knowledge management practices in a Thai organization. The research adopts an interpretive stance and employs a case study approach involving multiple data collection methods. The paper is based on one author’s personal expertise and close involvement, for over a decade, in the selected case study organization for over a decade. Using a grounded theory research approach, the study indicates that while shyness is overall perceived as a positive Thai cultural feature, it critically influences (1) the social network ties and relationship between employees within and across teams, (2) the resulting level of trust, including with management and senior staff, and (3) the ability to share and create knowledge effectively in the organizational socio-cultural environment. The study is limited to a Thai organization, but can be generalized to other organizations that exhibit similar characteristics. This empirical study provides a foundation to further the research and the validation of the summary of themes that emerged from this empirical study.