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A study of indicators of willingness in the knowledge transfer process

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2015

YingFei Héliot  and
Michael Riley
YingFei Héliot
Affiliation:
School of Management, Faculty of Management and Law, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
Michael Riley
Affiliation:
School of Management, Faculty of Management and Law, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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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.

Keywords

willingnessknowledgepsychological ownershippossessivenessengineersknowledge transfer
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , July 2010 , pp. 399 - 410
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2010

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