Developing a holistic framework of key categories of influences that shape knowledge sharing from an individual perspective

The aim of this thesis is to develop a holistic framework that depicts key categories of influences that shape individual perceptions of knowledge sharing within an organisational setting. This aim stems from a systematic literature review that indicates that despite the large volume of literature in regards to knowledge sharing, the field has not yet arrived at a consensus as to the key categories of influences, defined at a high level, that shape individuals’ knowledge sharing perceptions. In order to uncover the key categories of influences, an exploratory and qualitative case study strategy was executed. Empirical data were gathered from a total of 24 interviewees that were based in four different country branches (i.e. China, the Netherlands, the UK and the US) of a single IT services organisation. Using constant comparison, findings point towards a holistic framework that depicts four key categories of influences that shape knowledge sharing from an individual perspective. The first key influence revolves around institutions which act as a united entity on individual perceptions of knowledge sharing. The second key influence fundamentally different in nature concentrates on relations between individuals sharing knowledge. The third key influence focuses on the individuals themselves (called sharers) and how their attitudes and characteristics can shape their knowledge sharing perceptions. The fourth and final key influence centres on knowledge itself and how this can shape individual perceptions of knowledge sharing. In addition, findings suggest that the four key influences not only shape knowledge sharing independently but that all four key influences are intertwined and together form a holistic framework. Combined, these two sets of findings indicate that knowledge sharing from an individual-level perspective is a more complex phenomenon than currently portrayed in the literature, which has focused on some of the key influences or depicted some of the interrelationships. Yet to better understand the knowledge sharing phenomenon from an individual perspective all four key influences, each being fundamentally different in nature, and their relationships should be taken into account.