Unleashing Knowledge Sharing in Emerging Economy Startups: A Multilevel Analysis

Roberta Dutra de Andrade (), Paulo Gonçalves Pinheiro, Matheus Dantas Madeira Pontes and Thayanne Lima Duarte Pontes
Additional contact information
Roberta Dutra de Andrade: Business and Economics Department, NECE-UBI—Research Center for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Paulo Gonçalves Pinheiro: Business and Economics Department, NECE-UBI—Research Center for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Matheus Dantas Madeira Pontes: Business and Economics Department, NECE-UBI—Research Center for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Thayanne Lima Duarte Pontes: Business and Economics Department, UNIFOR University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza 60811-905, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: The knowledge-sharing process in digital startups is under development in current discussions, even though its importance for sustainable economic growth is acknowledged. This paper analyses the connections and traits regarding how knowledge is distinguished and shared at different levels in an emerging economy. Twelve focus groups were conducted with 72 startup founders, managers, and employees, and in-depth interviews reveal that, in contrast to the results from studies about more extensive firms, individuals consider knowledge sharing based on their particular judgment of the absorptive capacity of the recipient and the perceived gains associated with the maturation of individual and organisational image and reputation. Digital cultural factors inherent in this type of enterprise, remote first, meritocracy, and online community participation, have directly influenced the adoption of digital knowledge-sharing systems. Individuals desire to share knowledge for recognition, to establish credibility, and to establish connections with investors and mentors. A communal and collaborative atmosphere can foster the exchange of information among employees, influencing the intention to share knowledge. Knowledge sharing is reinforced when employees perceive knowledge sharers as specialists. Incentives and intra-organisational reward campaigns, talent improvement programs, external training sessions, workshops, and collaborative team assessments can cultivate personal relationships. A theoretical framework has been proposed that can examine digital startups’ effectiveness on micro-level elements. In emerging economies, social rewards are personally more critical than financial achievements. Our empirical statements reinforce the arguments that the digital age, the pandemic, and the migration crisis have substantially changed most aspects of knowledge sharing.

Keywords: knowledge sharing; knowledge acquisition; knowledge exchange; startups; emerging economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/13/10338/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/13/10338/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10338-:d:1183522

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().