To read this content please select one of the options below:

Transactive memory systems mediation role in the relationship between motivation and internal knowledge transfers in a military environment

Manuel Sáiz-Pardo (Directorate of Research, Doctrine, Organic and Materials, Ejército de Tierra Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Granada, Spain)
Maria Carmen Haro Domínguez (Department of Business Organization, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain) b
Luis M. Molina (Department of Management, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 6 May 2021

Issue publication date: 7 December 2021

656

Abstract

Purpose

The relationship between motivation at work and internal knowledge transfers (IKTs) is an important topic in the knowledge management literature, but evidence on the topic is contradictory. This study aims to analyze the mediating role of transactive memory systems (TMSs) in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 208 military knowledge workers (analysts) from a large European army.

Findings

The results indicate that intrinsic and identified motivation positively affect IKTs, although fully mediated by the TMS. Introjected motivation, in contrast, has only a slightly significant direct influence and external motivation has no significant effect. As individual motivation is insufficient to speed up knowledge transfer, this paper proposes the solution of implementing a TMS, which generates trust and improves coordination among group members.

Originality/value

This study’s originality stems from both its context and the problem tackled. The context analyzed is the military, a group that has received very little attention in the field of management and business. Individual motivation in job performance has also received little study in a military context and even less research has related individual motivation to IKTs. To supplement the scarcity of existing studies and resolve the possible difficulties identified concerning IKT in the military, this study proposes to analyze the mediating effect of a TMS on the relationship between individual motivation to perform one’s job and IKTs.

Keywords

Citation

Sáiz-Pardo, M., Haro Domínguez, M.C. and Molina, L.M. (2021), "Transactive memory systems mediation role in the relationship between motivation and internal knowledge transfers in a military environment", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 25 No. 10, pp. 2396-2419. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2020-0777

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles