Individual variables with an impact on knowledge sharing: the critical role of employees’ ignorance

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify individual variables with an impact on knowledge sharing and explore the under-discussed construct of employees’ ignorance. This can enhance the knowledge-sharing process and facilitate the development of greater intellectual capital.

Design/methodology/approach

Eighty-four dependent variables affecting knowledge sharing are analyzed and classified into 11 categories. In addition, the direct effect of employees’ ignorance on knowledge sharing is introduced and empirically investigated in a case study of a multinational organization operating within the aerospace and defense industry.

Findings

The findings suggest that employees’ ignorance may negatively affect their intention to share knowledge, thus leading to poor decision-making and communication in organizations. Employees’ ignorance could also limit the organizational ability to repel external threats, implement innovation and manage future risks.

Originality/value

A classification scheme based on different categories of employees’ ignorance is developed, providing tailor-made recommendations for practitioners facing different types of ill-informed organizational scenarios. Further, the need to shift the emphasis away from the management of knowledge to the management of ignorance is also an important contribution of this paper.

Citation

Israilidis, J., Siachou, E., Cooke, L. and Lock, R. (2015), "Individual variables with an impact on knowledge sharing: the critical role of employees’ ignorance", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 19 No. 6, pp. 1109-1123. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-04-2015-0153