Similarity and familiarity in distributed teams: A perspective of identification on knowledge sharing

Abstract

Research on knowledge sharing in distributed teams has demonstrated the importance of knowledge contribution and knowledge seeking in facilitating work procedures and outcomes. However, considerably less attention has been paid to learned characteristics of relationships that affect the intentions to share knowledge. Despite a variety of technologies being used to support distributed interaction, theoretical and empirical research investigating the impact of technology on distributed communication is limited. Based on a review of social psychology and network literature, we describe an identity-based view to understand how member relationships and technology support in distributed teams are associated with knowledge sharing. In this preliminary study, we collected social network data from distributed teams of a global IT organization. This research provides a new perspective on the antecedents of knowledge sharing as well as the mechanisms through which identification may facilitate knowledge sharing in distributed teams.