TY - JOUR
T1 - Cultural influences on knowledge sharing through online communities of practice
AU - Ardichvili, Alexandre
AU - Maurer, Martin
AU - Li, Wei
AU - Wentling, Tim
AU - Stuedemann, Reed
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to J.M. Llorens, F. Funes and J. Hermet for their support during field work and to J. Grosfeld and C. Brion for their assistance. We also acknowledge S. Rubulis (“Autoridad Interjurisdiccional de Cuencas”) for providing us access to unpublished climatic data and the “Centro de Salmonicultura”, where field work was carried out. This study was supported by the “Universidad Nacional del Comahue” (UNC, B 704; Argentina), the “Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas” (CONICET, PEI 0800/98; Argentina), CIRAD and INRA (France).
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore cultural factors influencing knowledge sharing strategies in virtual communities of practice. Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative research design was employed. Data collection was based on in-depth interviews. The authors assumed that such factors as degree of collectivism, competitiveness, the importance of saving face, in-group orientation, attention paid to power and hierarchy, and culture-specific preferences for communication modes, would explain differences in knowledge seeking and sharing patterns. Findings - The results showed that these factors had different levels of importance among employees in the three participating countries. The issue of saving face was less important than expected in China. Modesty requirements as well as a high degree of competitiveness among employees were found to be serious barriers to information sharing in China, but not in Russia and Brazil. Perceived differences in power and hierarchy seemed to be less critical in all three countries than initially assumed. Research limitations/implications - Since this study was conducted among the online community members of Caterpillar Inc., the results could be affected by factors unique to this specific case. Thus, future research should investigate the influence of other factors such as the organizational culture, or occupational groups on knowledge sharing strategies. Practical implications - Before any introduction of country-specific knowledge sharing systems, a cultural needs assessment should be conducted. Originality/value - The impact of national culture factors on knowledge sharing has been largely neglected in the literature, and the findings will assist knowledge managers charged with the design of flexible knowledge management systems.
AB - Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore cultural factors influencing knowledge sharing strategies in virtual communities of practice. Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative research design was employed. Data collection was based on in-depth interviews. The authors assumed that such factors as degree of collectivism, competitiveness, the importance of saving face, in-group orientation, attention paid to power and hierarchy, and culture-specific preferences for communication modes, would explain differences in knowledge seeking and sharing patterns. Findings - The results showed that these factors had different levels of importance among employees in the three participating countries. The issue of saving face was less important than expected in China. Modesty requirements as well as a high degree of competitiveness among employees were found to be serious barriers to information sharing in China, but not in Russia and Brazil. Perceived differences in power and hierarchy seemed to be less critical in all three countries than initially assumed. Research limitations/implications - Since this study was conducted among the online community members of Caterpillar Inc., the results could be affected by factors unique to this specific case. Thus, future research should investigate the influence of other factors such as the organizational culture, or occupational groups on knowledge sharing strategies. Practical implications - Before any introduction of country-specific knowledge sharing systems, a cultural needs assessment should be conducted. Originality/value - The impact of national culture factors on knowledge sharing has been largely neglected in the literature, and the findings will assist knowledge managers charged with the design of flexible knowledge management systems.
KW - Culture
KW - Knowledge management
KW - Knowledge sharing
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U2 - 10.1108/13673270610650139
DO - 10.1108/13673270610650139
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33644503502
SN - 1367-3270
VL - 10
SP - 94
EP - 107
JO - Journal of Knowledge Management
JF - Journal of Knowledge Management
IS - 1
ER -