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Understanding knowledge sharing in the work context by applying a belief elicitation study

Minna Stenius (The University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland)
Nelli Hankonen (The University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland)
Ari Haukkala (Department of Social Research, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland)
Niklas Ravaja (Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 11 May 2015

1257

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate cognitive antecedents of knowledge sharing (KS) by applying a belief elicitation study and embedding KS in an organizationally relevant context, work meetings.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out in two phases: an elicitation study (n = 18), and a survey (n = 200) based on its findings. The method, which combines a qualitative and a quantitative approach, is frequently used in the study of other behaviors (e.g. health behaviors) when applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Findings

Belief-based measures, informed by the elicitation study, were meaningful predictors of KS intentions. In line with TPB, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control explained 47.7 per cent of the variance in KS intentions, which together with perceived behavioral control explained 55.2 per cent of the variance in KS behavior. Behavioral beliefs reflecting positive collective outcomes (new perspectives, knowledge diffusion/collective learning, increased interaction) were the most important predictors.

Research limitations/implications

Single organization and the study design limit generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that by eliciting shared beliefs relating to specific KS behaviors, organizations may come a long way in understanding and subsequently influencing these behaviors.

Originality/value

This is the first study to apply TPB on KS by investigating the underlying beliefs using an elicitation study. By demonstrating its utility, the study not only lays avenue for evidence-based interventions to improve KS in organizations, but also presents a method that bridges the gap between quantitative and qualitative approaches to KS.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by The Emil Aaltonen Foundation, Finland, for the part of the corresponding author’s doctoral work.

Citation

Stenius, M., Hankonen, N., Haukkala, A. and Ravaja, N. (2015), "Understanding knowledge sharing in the work context by applying a belief elicitation study", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 497-513. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2014-0523

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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