Title: Sharing knowledge in law firms

Authors: Petter Gottschalk

Addresses: Department of Leadership and Organization Management, Norwegian School of Management BI, Nydalsveien 37, N-0442 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to deepen our understanding of the factors that increase or lessen employees| tendencies to engage in knowledge-sharing behaviours. First, the case of law firms is discussed. Next, a potential research model and hypotheses are presented. Potential determinants of intentions to share knowledge in law firms include professional image, enjoyment in helping others, knowledge repository, professional self-worth, professional reputation, personal attitude, and usefulness of IT systems. Future research might pursue revision and empirical testing of the research hypotheses developed in this paper.

Keywords: law firms; knowledge sharing; knowledge-based theory; strategic knowledge; professional image; helping others; knowledge repository; knowledge self-efficacy; professional self-worth; professional reputations; personal attitudes; IT systems; Eurojuris; Norway.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2007.012381

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.255 - 273

Published online: 09 Feb 2007 *

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