A public goods model of outcomes from online knowledge sharing mediated by mental model processing

Abstract

Purpose-This study takes a public goods approach to understanding relationships between collecting and contributing knowledge to an online knowledge-sharing portal (KSP), mental model processing, and outcomes at the individual and collective levels. Design/methodology/approach-This study reports on a survey (N=602) among tax professionals, examining the perceived individual and collective benefits and costs associated with collecting and contributing knowledge. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings-Collecting and contributing knowledge led to considerable mental model processing of the knowledge. That in turn significantly influenced (primarily) individual and (some) collective costs and benefits. Results varied by the kinds of knowledge sharing. Whether directly from knowledge sharing, or mediated through mental modeling, the perceived costs and benefits may be internalized as an individual good rather than being interpreted at the collective level as a public good. Research limitations/implications-The study is situated in the early stages of a wiki-type online knowledge-sharing portal. A focus on the learning potential of the system could serve to draw in new users and contributors, heightening perceptions of the public goods dimension of a KSP. Originality/value-This study explores how knowledge sharing and mental model processing are directly and indirectly associated with individual and collective costs and benefits. As online knowledge sharing is both an individual and public good, costs and benefits must be considered from both perspectives.

Integrating the bright and dark sides of communication visibility for knowledge management and creativity: The moderating role of regulatory focus

“…By knowledge sharing, we mean providing the opportunity to exchange knowledge, in either direction, i.e. contributing/donating and collecting, providing and receiving (Heinz & Rice, 2009;Rice et al, 2019;Schlagwein & Hu, 2017). Knowledge sharing is generally seen as positive (Arazy et al, 2016;Peng, 2013,).…”

“…Not sharing relevant information prevents successful knowledge transfer, and contributes to communication gaps and reduced shared understanding, among and between information system developers and stakeholders (Corvera Charaf et al, 2013). However, while the knowledge management literature typically frames knowledge sharing/transfer as a positive organizational activity, often encouraged or required through policies and knowledge management systems, unmanaged sharing has negative implications as well (Rice et al, 2019). Studies discuss, for example, how effective software development teams learn what information to discuss or share (or not), in what form (informal/formal, face-to-face/documentation, direct/indirect), and at what time (e.g., Hummel et al, 2015).…”

Creativity Is Connecting Things: The Role of Network Topology in Fostering Collective Creativity in Multi-Participant Asynchronous Online Discussions

“…The sequence begins with three separate posts, posted on days 14, 16 and 18 of the discussion, as replies to the proposition "Traditional universities will become obsolete". The posts are titled: (1) Not entirely true (universities will not disappear but they will have to change); (2) Lack of interaction and social isolation; introversion" was posted as a reply to post (2). On day 37, a post (6) titled "Academia is not suitable to the new world" was added.…”

“…On day 42, a post (7) titled "Distant learning -a miss-out on human interaction" was posted as a reply to post (4). On day 49, a post (8) titled "Frontal interaction is already diminishing" was posted in reply to post (2). On day 51, posts that were more integrative and more solution-oriented began appearing, starting with a post (9) titled "The future and future universities".…”

“…Platforms for online collaboration allow large groups of people to communicate and participate in ongoing, a-synchronic deliberations. They have become a prominent space for exchanging thoughts and ideas, sharing information and insights and generating collective knowledge, for professionals, laypeople and learners of all sorts [1,2]. These distributed communities produce collective content products, whether as an intentional process or as a by-product of the multiple interactions between people and content.…”