The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies (한국전자거래학회지)

Society for e-Business Studies (한국전자거래학회)
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Analyzing the Interdependent Role of Network Centrality, Motivation and Ability in Knowledge Sharing

네트워크 중심성, 자율적 동기, 그리고 능력 간의 상호의존적 관계가 지식공유에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

  • Jung, Sangyoon (Information Systems, Graduate School of Business, Seoul National University) ;
  • Rho, Sangkyu (Information Systems, Graduate School of Business, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2019.09.09
  • Accepted : 2019.11.18
  • Published : 2019.11.30
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Abstract

In the context of knowledge sharing, network position has been a controversial subject. A central position in the network provides access to non-redundant knowledge, leading to more opportunities of knowledge sharing. On the other hand, as "bridging" relationships, its characteristics as a "weak tie" suggest innate lack of trust and reciprocity which is considered an impediment to share knowledge. This paper attempts to enlighten the underlying dynamic by examining the interaction between network centrality, motivation and ability in knowledge sharing. Furthermore, this paper examines the concept of knowledge sharing ability in depth by operationalizing the construct into three aspects: extensive and diverse knowledge, social media utilization ability and self-efficacy. The results show a partially supported three-way interaction, where the highest level of knowledge provision is reported when the employee has low network centrality, high autonomous motivation and high knowledge sharing ability, i.e. extensive and diverse prior knowledge. Though all models indicate strong associations between network centrality and knowledge sharing, this suggests an even greater power of motivation and ability that gives the strength to overcome unfavorable environments of peripheral position. Therefore, this paper offers an alternative explanation to the existing debate whether network centrality positively or negatively influences knowledge sharing.

지식기반사회의 21세기에서 경쟁하는 기업들에게 조직구성원간의 지식공유는 기업의 핵심역량과 밀접한 연관을 갖는 핵심화두다. 특히 조직 내 네트워크의 위치 요인이 지식공유에 미치는 영향에 관해서는 학문적으로 논란이 계속되어 왔다. 이는 네트워크 중심성이 높을수록 정보에 대한 접근성이 높아지고 지식공유의 기회는 확대되는 반면에 약한 유대감으로 인해 실제 지식공유가 이루어지지 않는다는 논란이다. 본 연구에서는 지식 공유에 있어 세 가지 요소 - 네트워크 중심성, 자율적 동기, 그리고 지식공유능력 - 간의 상호작용이 지식공유에 미치는 영향을 보고자 한다. 그리고 더 나아가, 지식공유능력을 다양하고 깊이 있는 사전지식, SNS 활용능력, 그리고 자기효능감의 세 가지 측면으로 심도 있게 연구하였다. 그 결과, 부분적으로 네트워크 중심성과 자율적동기, 지식공유능력 간의 상호작용이 통계적으로 유의함을 밝혔다. 즉, 네트워크 중심성이 낮고, 높은 자율적동기, 그리고 사전지식이 많을 때 가장 높은 수준의 지식공유를 볼 수 있었다. 이를 통해, 동기와 능력이 강하면 네트워크의 주변적 위치라는 불리한 환경에서도 지식공유가 일어난다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구는 지식공유를 둘러싼 기존의 학문적 논쟁에 새로운 대안을 제시했다는 의의를 가진다.

Keywords

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