The Role of Organisational Culture on Knowledge Sharing by Using Knowledge Management Systems in MNCs

Knowledge is important in organisations and knowledge cannot be effective unless they are shared. Therefore, Knowledge Management Systems (KMSs) are used in organisations to share, utilise, and integrate knowledge. Organisational culture (OC) is an important factor and needs to be considered in Knowledge Sharing (KS), although it can foster sharing and collaboration, it must be handled sensitively with respect to the natural resistance of people and the existing culture toward change inside organisations. This paper seeks to explore how organisational culture can facilitate knowledge sharing by using KMSs in MNCs. Based on 42 semi-structured interviews, MNCs are recommended to consider OC as a significant factor that affects KMSs usage and KS. They are also advised to create a favourable environment or OC to enable employees in all branches and at all levels to utilise their knowledge resources by using KMSs in KS which will help managers to identify new ways supporting and facilitating knowledge sharing via using KMSs in MNCs.

[1]  Alan R. Dennis,et al.  Three Knowledge Management Strategies: Knowledge Hierarchies, Knowledge Markets, and Knowledge Communities , 2005, MIS Q. Executive.

[2]  Alan L. Wilkins,et al.  Efficient Cultures: Exploring the Relationship between Culture and Organizational Performance. , 1983 .

[3]  Dana Minbaeva,et al.  Knowledge transfer in multinational corporations , 2007 .

[4]  Uday R. Kulkarni,et al.  A Knowledge Management Success Model: Theoretical Development and Empirical Validation , 2006, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[5]  Fred D. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models , 1989 .

[6]  Young-Gul Kim,et al.  Extending the TAM for a World-Wide-Web context , 2000, Inf. Manag..

[7]  I. Nonaka,et al.  SECI, Ba and Leadership: a Unified Model of Dynamic Knowledge Creation , 2000 .

[8]  Irene Y. L. Chen,et al.  The factors influencing members' continuance intentions in professional virtual communities — a longitudinal study , 2007, J. Inf. Sci..

[9]  T. Kostova,et al.  Institutional Theory in the Study of Multinational Corporations: A Critique and New Directions , 2008 .

[10]  Torben Pedersen,et al.  MNC knowledge transfer, subsidiary absorptive capacity and HRM , 2002, Journal of International Business Studies.

[11]  R. Grant Toward a Knowledge-Based Theory of the Firm,” Strategic Management Journal (17), pp. , 1996 .

[12]  Thomas W. Ferratt,et al.  The use of computer-based information systems by German managers to support decision making , 2004, Inf. Manag..

[13]  Gerold Riempp,et al.  Assessing User Acceptance of a Knowledge Management System in a Global Bank: Process Analysis and Concept Development , 2007, 2007 40th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS'07).

[14]  Dorothy E. Leidner,et al.  Review: Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Systems: Conceptual Foundations and Research Issues , 2001, MIS Q..

[15]  Paul Schepers,et al.  Social Factors of Work-Environment Creativity , 2007 .

[16]  Venkateshviswanath,et al.  A Theoretical Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model , 2000 .

[17]  G. Gordon,et al.  Predicting Corporate Performance From Organizational Culture , 1992 .

[18]  B. Kogut,et al.  Knowledge of the Firm, Combinative Capabilities, and the Replication of Technology , 1992 .

[19]  Anil K. Gupta,et al.  Knowledge flows within multinational corporations , 2000 .

[20]  Jay Liebowitz,et al.  A set of frameworks to aid the project manager in conceptualizing and implementing knowledge management initiatives , 2003 .

[21]  G. McLean,et al.  Linking organizational culture, structure, strategy, and organizational effectiveness: Mediating role of knowledge management , 2010 .

[22]  D. Silverman Interpreting Qualitative Data , 1993 .

[23]  B. Nielsen,et al.  Knowledge Management Systems in Multinational Corporations: Typology and Transitional Dynamics , 2007 .

[24]  Wei-Li Wu,et al.  Fostering the determinants of knowledge transfer: a team-level analysis , 2007, J. Inf. Sci..

[25]  Liam Fahey,et al.  Diagnosing cultural barriers to knowledge management , 2000 .

[26]  Julian Birkinshaw,et al.  Knowledge Flows Within Multinational Corporations: Explaining Subsidiary Isolation and Its Performance Implications , 2008, Organ. Sci..

[27]  C. Chow,et al.  Organizational culture: association with commitment, job satisfaction, propensity to remain, and information sharing in Taiwan , 2003 .

[28]  R. Noe,et al.  Knowledge sharing: A review and directions for future research , 2010 .

[29]  Fred D. Davis,et al.  A Theoretical Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model: Four Longitudinal Field Studies , 2000, Management Science.

[30]  Jonathon N. Cummings,et al.  Tie and Network Correlates of Individual Performance in Knowledge-Intensive Work , 2004 .

[31]  Young-Gul Kim,et al.  Effects of Managerial Drivers and Climate Maturity on Knowledge-Management Performance: Empirical Validation , 2006, Inf. Resour. Manag. J..

[32]  E. Kelloway,et al.  Predictors of employees’ perceptions of knowledge sharing cultures , 2003 .

[33]  Robert W. Zmud,et al.  Behavioral Intention Formation in Knowledge Sharing: Examining the Roles of Extrinsic Motivators, Social-Psychological Factors, and Organizational Climate , 2005, MIS Q..

[34]  Simon French,et al.  Knowledge Management System's Characteristics that facilitate Knowledge Sharing to Support Decision Making Processes in Multinational Corporations , 2011, AMCIS.

[35]  Kathleen M. Eisenhardt,et al.  Making Fast Strategic Decisions In High-Velocity Environments , 1989 .

[36]  C. Bartlett,et al.  Linking organizational context and managerial action: The dimensions of quality of management , 2007 .

[37]  G. Hofstede,et al.  Culture′s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values , 1980 .

[38]  Richard L. Daft,et al.  Organization Theory and Design , 1983 .

[39]  Hyun-Soo Han,et al.  R&D group characteristics and Knowledge Management activities: a comparison between ventures and large firms , 2006, Int. J. Technol. Manag..

[40]  Yongbin Wei,et al.  Factors of stickiness in transfers of know-how between MNC units , 2012, J. Strateg. Inf. Syst..

[41]  Angel Cabrera,et al.  Determinants of individual engagement in knowledge sharing , 2006 .

[42]  R. Grant,et al.  A KNOWLEDGE-BASED THEORY OF INTER-FIRM COLLABORATION. , 1995 .

[43]  Gwo-Guang Lee,et al.  Effects of socio‐technical factors on organizational intention to encourage knowledge sharing , 2006 .

[44]  Ken G. Smith,et al.  Knowledge Exchange and Combination: The Role of Human Resource Practices in the Performance of High-Technology Firms , 2006 .

[45]  J. Barney Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage , 1991 .

[46]  Sumantra Ghoshal,et al.  Changing the role of management , 1995 .

[47]  Chieh-Peng Lin To Share or Not to Share: Modeling Tacit Knowledge Sharing, Its Mediators and Antecedents , 2007 .

[48]  Chin Wei Chong,et al.  Knowledge management process effectiveness: measurement of preliminary knowledge management implementation , 2009 .

[49]  Varun Grover,et al.  General Perspectives on Knowledge Management: Fostering a Research Agenda , 2001, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[50]  Trevor Wood-Harper,et al.  To Share or not to Share: an Exploratory Review of Knowledge Management Systems and Knowledge Sharing in Multinational Corporations , 2016, UKAIS.

[51]  Carl F. Fey,et al.  Organizational Culture and Effectiveness: Can American Theory Be Applied in Russia? , 2003, Organ. Sci..

[52]  Sven C. Voelpel,et al.  Five steps to creating a global knowledge-sharing system: Siemens' ShareNet , 2005 .

[53]  Sia Siew Kien,et al.  Global IT management: structuring for scale, responsiveness, and innovation , 2010, CACM.

[54]  Yolande E. Chan,et al.  Knowledge sharing in a multi-cultural setting: a case study , 2003 .

[55]  Patricia Ordóñez de Pablos,et al.  Knowledge flows and learning at interorganisational level: implications for management in multinational corporations , 2006, Int. J. Knowl. Learn..

[56]  I. Nonaka,et al.  How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation , 1995 .

[57]  Fred D. Davis User Acceptance of Information Technology: System Characteristics, User Perceptions and Behavioral Impacts , 1993, Int. J. Man Mach. Stud..

[58]  C. Prahalad,et al.  The Core Competence of the Corporation , 1990 .

[59]  Carla O'Dell,et al.  Overcoming cultural barriers to sharing knowledge , 2001, J. Knowl. Manag..

[60]  Dorothy E. Leidner,et al.  An Empirical Examination of the Influence of Organizational Culture on Knowledge Management Practices , 2005, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[61]  Snejina Michailova,et al.  Organizational values and knowledge sharing in multinational corporations: The Danisco case , 2012 .

[62]  T. Atchison,et al.  What is corporate culture? , 2002, Trustee : the journal for hospital governing boards.

[63]  Anil Gupta,et al.  Knowledge Management’s Social Dimension: Lessons from Nucor Steel , 2000 .

[64]  Thomas H. Davenport,et al.  Book review:Working knowledge: How organizations manage what they know. Thomas H. Davenport and Laurence Prusak. Harvard Business School Press, 1998. $29.95US. ISBN 0‐87584‐655‐6 , 1998 .

[65]  Aneil K. Mishra,et al.  Toward a theory of organizational culture and effectiveness. , 1995 .

[66]  Morten T. Hansen,et al.  KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN ORGANIZATIONS: MULTIPLE NETWORKS, MULTIPLE PHASES , 2005 .

[67]  Efraim Turban,et al.  Decision Support and Business Intelligence Systems (8th Edition) , 2006 .

[68]  Dorothy E. Leidner,et al.  Knowledge Management Systems: Issues, Challenges, and Benefits , 1999, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[69]  Duska Rosenberg,et al.  Co-operative work practices and knowledge sharing issues: A comparison of viewpoints , 2008, Int. J. Inf. Manag..

[70]  James F. Courtney,et al.  Decision making and knowledge management in inquiring organizations: toward a new decision-making paradigm for DSS , 2001, Decis. Support Syst..

[71]  김종식 동아시아 문화와 경영, Geert Hofstede, Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values (Beverly Hills, CA:Sage Publications, 1980) ; and Cultures and Organizations : Software of the Mind (New York:McGraw-Hill, 1997) , 1999 .

[72]  Albert H. Segars,et al.  Re-examining perceived ease of use and usefulness , 1993 .

[73]  Kostas S. Metaxiotis,et al.  Decision support through knowledge management: the role of the artificial intelligence , 2003, Inf. Manag. Comput. Secur..

[74]  John D. Politis The connection between trust and knowledge management: what are its implications for team performance , 2003, J. Knowl. Manag..

[75]  C. Ruppel,et al.  Sharing knowledge through intranets: a study of organizational culture and intranet implementation , 2001 .

[76]  Ray Reagans,et al.  Network Structure and Knowledge Transfer: The Effects of Cohesion and Range , 2003 .

[77]  Gordon B. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View , 2003, MIS Q..

[78]  Albert H. Segars,et al.  Knowledge Management: An Organizational Capabilities Perspective , 2001, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[79]  Jean Hartley,et al.  Case study research , 2004 .

[80]  R. Yin Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[81]  Fred D. Davis Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology , 1989, MIS Q..

[82]  Gabriel Szulanski The Process of Knowledge Transfer: A Diachronic Analysis of Stickiness , 2000 .

[83]  T. Gladwin Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values , 1981 .

[84]  D. Denison,et al.  Corporate Culture and Organizational Effectiveness. , 1991 .

[85]  W. Andrew Taylor,et al.  Organizational Readiness for Successful Knowledge Sharing: Challenges for Public Sector Managers , 2004, Inf. Resour. Manag. J..