Reach and richness: Towards a theory of knowledge sharing mechanism selection

Abstract

The paper proposes a framework which links knowledge mechanisms with the knowledge sharing process for better intra-firm knowledge sharing. We view knowledge sharing as a process that comprises awareness and transfer. Knowledge sharing mechanism determines in what forms the knowledge is represented and through what intermediate steps it flows from one end to the other. Two dimensions, namely "Reach" and "Richness" characterize the nature of knowledge sharing mechanisms. In this study, empirical evidence proves that mechanisms used at stage awareness are more likely to have a high degree of "Reach" while mechanisms used at stage transfer are more likely to have a high degree of "Richness". Additionally, it is hypothesized that using a mechanism with high "Reach" is more likely to be effective at stage awareness of knowledge sharing while at stage transfer, use of mechanisms with high "Richness" creates higher efficacy. Survey results gathered partially confirm the hypotheses. © 2008 IEEE.