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Lending a Helping Hand: Voluntary Engagement in Knowledge Sharing

Author

Listed:
  • Mergel, Ines

    (Harvard U)

  • Lazer, David

    (Harvard U)

  • Binz-Scharf, Maria

    (City College of New York, CUNY)

Abstract

Knowledge is essential for the functioning of every social system, especially for professionals in knowledge-intensive organizations. Since individuals do not possess all the work-related knowledge that they require, they turn to others in search for that knowledge. While prior research has mainly focused on antecedents and consequences of knowledge sharing and understanding why people do not share knowledge, less is known why people provide knowledge, and what conditions trigger voluntary engagement in knowledge sharing. Our paper addresses this gap by proposing a multi-level framework for voluntary engagement in knowledge sharing: individual, relational, group, and informational. We provide illustrations from a particular knowledge-intensive community, DNA forensic scientists who work at public laboratories.

Suggested Citation

  • Mergel, Ines & Lazer, David & Binz-Scharf, Maria, 2008. "Lending a Helping Hand: Voluntary Engagement in Knowledge Sharing," Working Paper Series rwp08-047, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp08-047
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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