IF I KNOW IT, WILL I SHARE IT?: THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF GROUP COMPOSITION ON THE CREATION AND STABILITY OF ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

This article presents arguments regarding the importance of information sharing to the growth and stability of organizational knowledge. In addition, the article discusses the expected effects of group composition on the nature and degree of information sharing that takes place within groups. While group composition may vary along a number of dimensions, this article focuses primarily on differences in group membership represented by various race and gender combinations. The specific research question explored is, to what extent does group composition affect the likelihood that individually held (unique) information will be shared with group members during group discussion? A conceptual model is presented and its implications for both research and practice are discussed.

Citation

Smith, M.L. (2004), "IF I KNOW IT, WILL I SHARE IT?: THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF GROUP COMPOSITION ON THE CREATION AND STABILITY OF ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE", DiTomaso, N. and Post, C. (Ed.) Diversity in the Work Force (Research in the Sociology of Work, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 63-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-2833(04)14003-X