Abstract
Knowledge sharing (KS) is critical to organizations that wish to use their knowledge as an asset to achieve competitive advantage. Knowledge management systems (KMSs) can be primary enablers of knowledge sharing in an organization.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Social Presence: The degree to which a knowledge-sharing medium, such as a network, facilitates an awareness of other people and the development of interpersonal relationships.
Knowledge Transfer: The focused, objective-seeking communication of knowledge between individuals, groups, or organizations such that the recipient of knowledge either (a) receives the knowledge, (b) has a cognitive understanding of it, (c) has the ability to apply the knowledge, or (d) applies the knowledge.
Public Good: Something that is shared by all members of a community whether or not they have contributed to the constitution or maintenance of the good.
Knowledge Sharing: The exchange of knowledge between and among individuals, and within and among teams, organizational units, and organizations. This exchange may be focused or unfocused, but it usually does not have a clear a priori single objective.
Social-Exchange Theory: The theory that people contribute to the welfare of others, either individuals, groups, or organizations, to a degree that is commensurate with their perceptions of the contributions that are made by others to them (over the long run).
Supervisory Control: Formal actions by management to enhance the likelihood that employees will act in ways that management wishes them to act or in ways that are beneficial to the organization.