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Digital knowledge sharing and creative performance: Work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic

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  • Tønnessen, Øystein
  • Dhir, Amandeep
  • Flåten, Bjørn-Tore

Abstract

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social distancing requirements have led to major disruptions in the world of work. The outcomes of the enforced and large-scale work from home (WFH) practices are currently largely unexplored. This study aims to address this gap in the research by investigating the external and internal digital knowledge sharing (DKS) and creative performance (CP) of employees under these extraordinary circumstances. The social capital theory was utilized as the theoretical lens for examining the associations of DKS and CP with demographic, individual, and organizational factors. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among knowledge workers based in Norway during the pandemic lockdown. The study results indicate that internal and external DKS are significant predictors of CP in the WFH context during the COVID-19 pandemic. Females and older employees are more likely to engage in external DKS than their counterparts. Furthermore, individual motivation is found to be positively associated with internal DKS, external DKS, and CP. The findings suggest that increased use of digital platforms helps increase CP in the WFH setting resulting from the pandemic. Various theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and future research avenues are proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tønnessen, Øystein & Dhir, Amandeep & Flåten, Bjørn-Tore, 2021. "Digital knowledge sharing and creative performance: Work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:170:y:2021:i:c:s0040162521002985
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120866
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    4. Lima Nasrin Eni, 2022. "Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing in the Nexus among Human Capital, IT Capability, Transactional Leadership and Innovation Performance: Empirical Evidence from Bangladeshi Telecommunication Sector," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17.
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    6. Santiago-Torner, Carlos, 2023. "Teletrabajo y comportamiento creativo. El efecto moderador de la motivación intrínseca," Revista de Economía del Rosario, Universidad del Rosario, vol. 26(1), pages 1-39, June.
    7. Dwivedi, Yogesh K & Shareef, Mahmud A & Akram, Muhammad S & Bhatti, Zeeshan A & Rana, Nripendra P, 2022. "Examining the effects of enterprise social media on operational and social performance during environmental disruption," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

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