Title: A dyadic perspective on knowledge exchange

Authors: Sheng-Hsun Hsu, Shiou-Fen Tzeng

Addresses: Department of Information Management, Department of Business Administration, Chung-Hua University, No. 707, Sec. 2, WuFu Road, HsinChu, 30067, Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Business Administration, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: This study provides insights into the relational characteristics of internal knowledge markets. Many knowledge initiatives are still based on the incorrect assumption that knowledge flows without friction and that people are willing to share knowledge with no concern about what they may gain or lose by doing so. However, such one-sided transactions seldom occur in real life. As a result, this study attempts to develop a sender-receiver (dyadic) framework to recognise the existence of knowledge markets and understand the mechanisms of knowledge markets. It is important to note that the unit of analysis in this study is the relationship between pairs of individuals and, thus, all of the variables are dyadic. To analyse the data at the dyadic level, we employ social network analysis and the Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure (MRQAP). However, as research that is based on dyadic-level analysis is relatively scant, this raises some concerns about the reliability of the results. To address these concerns, we also analysed our data at the nodal (individual) level using the Partial Least Square (PLS) technique.

Keywords: internal knowledge markets; dyadic frameworks; knowledge management; knowledge exchange; intangible knowledge; multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure; MRQAP; social network analysis; partial least squares regression; sender-receiver frameworks; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2010.030164

International Journal of Technology Management, 2010 Vol.49 No.4, pp.370 - 383

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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