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Goal orientations and the motivation to share knowledge

Michele Swift (Assistant Professor of Management at the College of Business, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA)
David B. Balkin (Professor of Management, based at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA)
Sharon F. Matusik (Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, based at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 1 June 2010

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that takes into account both personal and contextual factors in explaining individuals' motivation to share their knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from research on achievement motivation and social exchange, it is posited that goal orientations provide a framework for individuals' knowledge sharing by shaping how they cognitively value the costs and benefits associated with sharing their knowledge. It is argued each of the goal orientations is associated with preferences for sharing specific types of knowledge and is that a focus on different aspects of the knowledge provider‐recipient relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The model provides a possible explanation for some of the inconsistencies in existing knowledge‐sharing research on the factors that motivate knowledge sharing as well as expanding understanding of the conditions that facilitate knowledge sharing.

Practical implications

For organizations to encourage the desired knowledge sharing, they may need to maintain human resource management (HRM) practices that recognize the different motivations associated with each of the goal orientations.

Originality/value

The model developed integrates research on goal orientations and knowledge transfer to expand understanding of how individuals cognitively value the costs and benefits of sharing their knowledge.

Keywords

Citation

Swift, M., Balkin, D.B. and Matusik, S.F. (2010), "Goal orientations and the motivation to share knowledge", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 378-393. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673271011050111

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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