Conceptual framework for implementation of knowledge sharing in global software development organizations

Abstract

Effective knowledge sharing plays a significant role in the proficient performance of any global software development organization. The lack of ability to share knowledge over time, in globally distributed software organizations, is perhaps the most prominent issue of this digital era. Traditionally, the main focus of the existing literature for knowledge sharing has been on individuals working from same locations rather than globally distributed locations. Therefore, a good amount of research work needs to be done to understand knowledge sharing process for globally distributed software development organizations. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a framework consisting of knowledge sharing factors classified into five main categories “individual”, “organizational”, “technological”, “cultural” and “geographical”. The proposed framework incorporates psychological theories including theory of planned behavior (TPB), social cognitive theory (SCT) and subset of Triandis' theory of interpersonal behavior (TIB). Based on literature review, this study suggests that trust, motivation, social interaction, linguistic distance, geographical distance, time zone difference have direct relationships with knowledge sharing behavior whereas organizational and technological support plays a moderating role.