A study of indicators of willingness in the knowledge transfer process

YingFei Héliot and Michael Riley

Journal of Management & Organization, 2010, vol. 16, issue 3, 399-410

Abstract: The literature on knowledge transfer is confident in its assertion that a ‘stickiness’ pervades knowledge disclosure process. This phenomenon is often attributed to structural communication barriers but an equally valid explanation could stem from the individual feeling a sense of ownership of their knowledge which then engenders a reluctance to be open about their knowledge within a formal knowledge transfer process. We pursue this idea theoretically through notions of possessiveness and psychological ownership; and empirically by exploring the concept of willingness to disclose. Assuming willingness to be unidimensional a methodology is put forward that uses indicators to measures its direction. Using a sample of 1050 UK engineers we illustrate the direction of willingness on a reluctance–willing dimension. We argue that knowledge transfer requires management to examine more closely the stimuli that affect the process.

Date: 2010
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cup:jomorg:v:16:y:2010:i:03:p:399-410_00

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