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1 – 10 of over 7000Jing Liang, Ming Li and Xuanya Shao
The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of online reviews on answer adoption in virtual Q&A communities, with an eye toward extending knowledge exchange and community…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of online reviews on answer adoption in virtual Q&A communities, with an eye toward extending knowledge exchange and community management.
Design/methodology/approach
Online reviews contain rich cognitive and emotional information about community members regarding the provided answers. As feedback information on answers, it is crucial to explore how online reviews affect answer adoption. Based on signaling theory, a research model reflecting the influence of online reviews on answer adoption is established and empirically examined by using secondary data with 69,597 Q&A data and user data collected from Zhihu. Meanwhile, the moderating effects of the informational and emotional consistency of reviews and answers are examined.
Findings
The negative binomial regression results show that both answer-related signals (informational support and emotional support) and answerers-related signals (answerers’ reputations and expertise) positively impact answer adoption. The informational consistency of reviews and answers negatively moderates the relationships among information support, emotional support and answer adoption but positively moderates the effect of answerers’ expertise on answer adoption. Furthermore, the emotional consistency of reviews and answers positively moderates the effect of information support and answerers’ reputations on answer adoption.
Originality/value
Although previous studies have investigated the impacts of answer content, answer source credibility and personal characteristics of knowledge seekers on answer adoption in virtual Q&A communities, few have examined the impact of online reviews on answer adoption. This study explores the impacts of informational and emotional feedback in online reviews on answer adoption from a signaling theory perspective. The results not only provide unique ideas for community managers to optimize community design and operation but also inspire community users to provide or utilize knowledge, thereby reducing knowledge search costs and improving knowledge exchange efficiency.
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Ming Li and Jing Liang
Knowledge adoption is the key to effective knowledge exchange in virtual question-and-answer (Q&A) communities. Although previous studies have examined the effects of knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge adoption is the key to effective knowledge exchange in virtual question-and-answer (Q&A) communities. Although previous studies have examined the effects of knowledge content, knowledge source credibility and the personal characteristics of knowledge seekers on knowledge adoption in virtual Q&A communities from a static perspective, the impact of answer deviation on knowledge adoption has rarely been explored from a context-based perspective. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of two-way deviation on knowledge adoption in virtual Q&A communities, with the aim of expanding the understanding of knowledge exchange and community management.
Design/methodology/approach
The same question and the same answerer often yield multiple answers. Knowledge seekers usually read multiple answers to make adoption decisions. The impact of deviations among answers on knowledge seekers' knowledge adoption is critical. From a context-based perspective, a research model of the impact of the deviation of horizontal and vertical answers on knowledge adoption is established based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) and empirically examined with 88,287 Q&A data points and answerer data collected from Zhihu. Additionally, the moderation effects of static factors such as answerer reputation and answer length are examined.
Findings
The negative binomial regression results show that the content and emotion deviation of horizontal answers negatively affect knowledge seekers' knowledge adoption. The content deviation of vertical answers is negatively associated with knowledge adoption, while the emotion deviation of vertical answers is positively related to knowledge adoption. Moreover, answerer reputation positively moderates the negative effect of the emotion deviation of horizontal answers on knowledge adoption. Answer length weakens the negative correlation between the content deviation of horizontal and vertical answers and knowledge adoption.
Originality/value
This study extends previous research on knowledge adoption from a static perspective to a context-based perspective. Moreover, information deviation is expanded from a one-way variable to a two-way variable. The combined effects of static and contextual factors on knowledge adoption are further uncovered. This study can not only help knowledge seekers identify the best answers but also help virtual Q&A community managers optimize community design and operation to reduce the cost of knowledge search and improve the efficiency of knowledge exchange.
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The purpose of this research paper is to show empirical evidence that supports a set of research proposition that was synthesized based on knowledge seeking and stakeholder…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to show empirical evidence that supports a set of research proposition that was synthesized based on knowledge seeking and stakeholder literature. These propositions, which are related to the knowledge seeking strategies adopted by knowledge seekers and the knowledge stakeholder settings that exist in firms, are explored using the data collected from focus group discussions.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collected from focus group discussions were interpreted through qualitative content analysis, resulting in discussions and findings that deliver strategies for knowledge seekers who quest for tacit knowledge.
Findings
Empirical data from this study reveals strategies, ascertained from the context of three knowledge stakeholder including; powerful stakeholders, legitimate stakeholders and urgent stakeholders, each of which may be adopted in seeking tacit knowledge.
Originality/value
The study proposes to tackle the issue of human centric knowledge seeking from the perspective of stakeholder theory in organization context. Knowledge stakeholders, such as external customers and internal supportive staffs and co‐workers, are bearers of tacit knowledge and so identifying the knowledge stakeholders is crucial to leverage their knowledge for the firm's benefit.
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Changyu Wang, Jinming Mei and Jiaojiao Feng
Online-to-offline (O2O) knowledge-sharing economy platforms have emerged as a new public channel for matching up knowledge providers with knowledge seekers. It can facilitate…
Abstract
Purpose
Online-to-offline (O2O) knowledge-sharing economy platforms have emerged as a new public channel for matching up knowledge providers with knowledge seekers. It can facilitate offline provision and consumption of high-quality tacit knowledge around a topic upon online search and payment (called offline knowledge service transaction). However, limited research investigated this new knowledge-sharing phenomenon in the field of knowledge management (KM). The purpose of this paper is to enrich KM literature by developing a theoretical model to explore determinants of offline knowledge service transactions via O2O knowledge-sharing economy platforms from both quality and price perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The model was tested with objective data crawled from Zaihang – a leading O2O knowledge-sharing economy platform in China.
Findings
The results show that, in the context of O2O knowledge-sharing economy, transactions of an offline knowledge service are positively related to its provider’s popularity, but negatively related to the price. Moreover, knowledge seekers are more likely to accept and purchase a high-priced service of a knowledge topic with a higher overall review score and supplied by a provider with lower popularity and shorter response time. However, the length of offline knowledge service has no significant association with its transactions.
Originality/value
This study contributes to KM literature through investigating a new phenomenon of tacit knowledge sharing (including provision and consumption) in the context of O2O service and the sharing economy. The results give implications for knowledge providers and platform managers to facilitate online transactions of offline knowledge services.
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Hong Li, Changhong Li and Zhan Wang
The effective transfer of knowledge within an organization is critical for its sustainable competitive advantage. Based on the norm of reciprocity, it can be concluded that…
Abstract
Purpose
The effective transfer of knowledge within an organization is critical for its sustainable competitive advantage. Based on the norm of reciprocity, it can be concluded that individuals’ primary motivation to transfer their treasured knowledge can be summarized as “trust,” that is, the individuals trust their selfless transfer behavior can be reciprocated by the recipients in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a simulation model based on knowledge transfer behavior and reciprocal trust between individuals is built through agent-based modeling and simulation to investigate the factors that influence the efficiency of knowledge transfer within an organization.
Findings
Experiments are performed to test the impact of reciprocal trust and organizational structure on the efficiency of knowledge transfer.
Originality/value
The results indicate a significant role of key elements of reciprocal trust and organizational structure, which provides relevant practical guidance for both individuals and organization managers in the context of knowledge transfer.
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Amitabh Anand, Isabelle Walsh and Sandra Moffett
Despite the strong focus on virtues in firms, humility is little recognized in the management literature and, more particularly in the literature about knowledge sharing (KS)…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the strong focus on virtues in firms, humility is little recognized in the management literature and, more particularly in the literature about knowledge sharing (KS). Despite efforts to foster KS among employees in firms, the effectiveness of this process narrows down to the dyadic relationship between the knowledge seeker and provider within firm. This paper aims to investigate the role of humility in the KS process in dyadic activity.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors undertake an exploratory investigation to fill some of the gaps found in the literature. The paper draws insights from psychology, history, religion, current events and management literature.
Findings
The authors identify several individual propensities that help predict humility towards sharing knowledge from seeker (humble knowledge-inquiry) and provider perspectives (humble response). They propose a new conceptual process model of KS with humility as an important variable to consider. This work highlights several promising directions for future research.
Originality/value
As per the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that investigates the role of humility in knowledge sharing from dyadic perspective. The authors also introduce concepts of humble knowledge inquiry and humble response in a dyadic context for effective knowledge sharing process.
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Fabio Sartori, Riccardo Melen and Stefano Pinardi
The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for cultivating virtual communities of practice in distributed environments. The framework is based on the integration of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for cultivating virtual communities of practice in distributed environments. The framework is based on the integration of knowledge artifacts and wearable technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed knowledge artifact is based on the correlation between conceptual and computational tools for the representation of different kinds of knowledge.
Findings
In this way, it is possible to make deeper the collaboration between knowledge seekers and contributors within the community, given that seekers and contributors share, at least in part, design choices at the knowledge modeling level.
Originality/value
A practical application of the framework has been described, to show its originality with respect to traditional knowledge management systems. In particular, it has been demonstrated how lurking phenomenon inside communities of practice can be significantly reduced. To this aim, opportune indexes have been defined from existing ones in literature.
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Yonggui Wang, Myat Su Han, Diandian Xiang and Daniel Peter Hampson
Despite managers’ investments in facilitating knowledge sharing, knowledge hiding remains prevalent in organizations. Existing studies shed light on the antecedents and…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite managers’ investments in facilitating knowledge sharing, knowledge hiding remains prevalent in organizations. Existing studies shed light on the antecedents and consequences of knowledge hiding from the hider’s perspective. This study, the first, aims to examine the consequences of perceived knowledge hiding on the performance of knowledge seekers individually and organizations more broadly.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop a theoretical framework, drawing on self-determination theory (SDT) and social exchange theory (SET). The framework is tested empirically via hierarchical regression analyses, using survey data collected from salespersons (n = 296) and supervisors (n = 83) employed by one of the largest distribution and market expansion companies in Myanmar.
Findings
Consistent with SDT, the results show that perceived knowledge hiding exerts a positive effect on knowledge seekers’ individual sales performance, although this relationship is moderated by social interaction. Conversely, the results show a negative relationship between perceived knowledge hiding and team viability, which is moderated by reward structure, consistent with SET.
Research limitations/implications
The results have several strategic implications, including on the type of reward structures (i.e. individual vs team-based) that most effectively mitigate the negative consequences of perceived knowledge hiding.
Originality/value
This is the first empirical study of the consequences of perceived knowledge hiding. This model integrates two theoretical perspectives which highlight positive and negative consequences of perceived knowledge hiding.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level (individual, interpersonal and firm) consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level (individual, interpersonal and firm) consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a multiple case study methodology by studying nine United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based firms. Furthermore, 26 semi-structured interviews with managers based in 9 different firms are undertaken.
Findings
Based on the qualitative interviews and comprehensive data analysis, four individual, one interpersonal and two firm-level consequences emerged. In addition, the consequences of top-down knowledge hiding are not multi-level, but multi-faceted too.
Research limitations/implications
This study has some limitations. First, the results of this study are not generalizable to a broader population. Second, this study explores behavioral patterns with respect to UAE culture only.
Practical implications
Firms can use the findings from this study to understand the multi-level and multi-faceted consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms. Also, this study provides some constructive guidelines to firms/senior management to mitigate the consequences of knowledge hiding in firms.
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge hiding literature by revealing multi-level and multi-faceted consequences of top-down knowledge hiding in firms.
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Ranjan Chaudhuri, Sheshadri Chatterjee, Demetris Vrontis and Diego Begalli
This study aims to examine the impact of social media (SM) on the interactivity among teachers, among students and between students and teachers for sustainable academic…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of social media (SM) on the interactivity among teachers, among students and between students and teachers for sustainable academic performance and for achieving sustainable development (SD) in higher educational institutes. This study also investigates the moderating impact of knowledge creators (KNC) and knowledge seekers (KNS) on the collaborative learning environment using SM.
Design/methodology/approach
With the help of Vroom’s expectancy motivation theory (1964), collaborative learning theory and other theories, a theoretical model has been developed. This theoretical model has been tested using the structural equation modeling technique with 375 participants taken from different educational institutes. The respondent-–participants were both teachers and students.
Findings
The study found that SM plays a significant role in achieving SD al goals and enhances collaborative learning activities among teachers and students to improve academic performance to achieve SD in higher educational institutes. Also, the study highlighted that both “knowledge creators” and “knowledge seekers” have effective moderating impact on the linkage between “intention to use SM for knowledge sharing” and “collaborative learning using social media” to achieve SD al goals.
Research limitations/implications
With the inputs from expectancy-instrumentality-valance theory and collaborative learning theory and existing literature, a theoretical model has been developed conceptually. Later, the model was successfully validated with an overall high explanatory power (72%) of this model. As the sample of the study do not represent a global representation of the population, thus the findings cannot be generalizable.
Practical implications
This study has provided valuable inputs to the SD practitioners and educational policymakers to formulate appropriate policies that enable SD al activities in higher educational institutes. This study also provides food for thought to the policymakers about the role of KNC and KNS toward the collaborative learning environment in achieving SD al goals in higher educational institutes.
Originality/value
The theoretical model developed in this study is unique. This study shows how both “knowledge creator” and “knowledge seeker” play a significant role toward collaborative learning and helps to achieve SD in higher learning institutes and improves their performance. The overall predictive power of the model is 72%, which also shows the effectiveness and uniqueness of the proposed model.
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