How Do Knowledge Characteristics Influence Firm¡¯s Knowledge Sharing Intention in Cooperation?

Abstract

Drawing from the knowledge-based view and relational exchange theory, this study focuses on firm¡¯s knowledge sharing intention in inter-firm cooperation and investigates the effects of knowledge characteristics (breadth and depth), as well as the moderating effects of bilateral specific asset investment and strategic consensus. To test the hypotheses, we randomly collected data from 270 Chinese manufacturing firms. The hierarchical regression results show that knowledge breadth has a positive effect on knowledge sharing intention, while knowledge depth has a negative effect on knowledge sharing intention. In addition, both bilateral specific asset investment and strategic consensus enhance the positive relationship between knowledge breadth and knowledge sharing intention, and weaken the negative relationship between knowledge depth and knowledge sharing intention. The findings of knowledge breadth and knowledge depth have opposite effects on knowledge sharing intention and the two different relational factors moderate their relationships, contributing to the knowledge sharing literature. Besides, this study also provides a new direction for studying inter-firm knowledge sharing.