Chinese social media for informal knowledge sharing in the supply chain

Abstract

ABSTRACT Knowledge sharing (KS) is key for a successful supply chain (SC), and the role of information systems has been widely studied as a means to facilitate formal KS. Although critical in practice, the role of social media in informal KS within the internal SC is not sufficiently examined, even though they are intensively used for that purpose in certain specific cultural contexts. To what extent do social media contribute to KS within the internal SC functions in a cultural context where informalization is preferred? The article relies on a case study conducted in a manufacturing company in China where ERP implementation failure allowed two social media (WeChat and DingTalk) to play a growing role in the KS within the internal SC. The case study analysis follows the knowledge-based view dimensions: transferability, capacity for aggregation, and appropriability. The findings highlight the distinct role of these social media and illustrate the role of cultural dimensions in a context where informalization is preferred.