Knowledge sharing of inpatriates: Empirical evidence from an ability–motivation–opportunity perspective
ISSN: 0142-5455
Article publication date: 7 June 2019
Issue publication date: 24 July 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of inpatriates’ abilities, motivation and opportunities on knowledge sharing and the moderating role of boundary spanning in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
By integrating the ability–motivation–opportunity framework with the concept of boundary spanning four hypotheses are developed, which are tested against the data of 187 inpatriates working in Germany.
Findings
The study reveals that inpatriates’ motivation and certain opportunities are positively related to knowledge sharing, whereas inpatriates’ abilities do not show a positive effect. Moreover, it is shown that inpatriate boundary spanning has a moderating effect on this relationship.
Originality/value
Based on the results, the study enhances the current literature by introducing the concept of reputation asymmetry. Moreover, requirements of how inpatriates’ assignments should be designed and implications for further research are outlined.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Financial support for this research was provided to Tassilo Schuster in the form of a research grant from the Dr Theo and Friedl Schoeller Research Center for Business and Society.
Citation
Schuster, T., Holtbrügge, D. and Engelhard, F. (2019), "Knowledge sharing of inpatriates: Empirical evidence from an ability–motivation–opportunity perspective", Employee Relations, Vol. 41 No. 5, pp. 971-996. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-03-2018-0073
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited