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Moderating effects of guanxi and face on the relationship between psychological motivation and knowledge-sharing in China

Guanqi Ding (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)
Hefu Liu (University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)
Qian Huang (University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)
Jibao Gu (University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 11 September 2017

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how psychological motivations influence the knowledge-sharing intention of employees and how these effects are moderated by traditional Chinese culture.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted in China to test the research model. The target samples comprised MBA students who have enough practical experience, as well as considerable academic experience.

Findings

The results suggest that anticipated reciprocal relationships, anticipated extrinsic rewards and sense of self-worth exert different effects on knowledge-sharing intention. In addition, traditional Chinese culture plays different roles in the relationships among these three psychological motivations and knowledge-sharing intention. Specifically, guanxi orientation positively moderates the effect of anticipated reciprocal relationships and negatively moderates the effect of sense of self-worth. Face gaining negatively moderates the effect of anticipated reciprocal relationships and positively moderates the effect of sense of self-worth. Face saving negatively moderates the effect of anticipated reciprocal relationships and sense of self-worth.

Originality/value

A few studies in extant knowledge management (KM) literature provided insights into how traditional Chinese culture could directly affect knowledge sharing. The authors depart from these studies by integrating these characteristic indigenous concepts (i.e. face and guanxi orientation) into this study. The authors offer an indigenous cultural view of how these indigenous concepts truly influence an individual’s psychological states and inclination in KM literature. Through this approach, the results confirm that these cultural factors do play an important role during the formation of knowledge-sharing intention and reveals several important research findings.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The work described in this paper was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC: 71622009, 71571169, and 71571177); Anhui Natural Science Foundation (1608085MG155).

Citation

Ding, G., Liu, H., Huang, Q. and Gu, J. (2017), "Moderating effects of guanxi and face on the relationship between psychological motivation and knowledge-sharing in China", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 1077-1097. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2016-0439

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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