Knowledge sharing between self-initiated expatriates and host country nationals: a dyadic investigation

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigate knowledge sharing between self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) and host country nationals (HCNs) based on theoretical insights from social exchange and self-categorisation theories. In particular, we examine the interplay between the quality of the exchange relationship vested in cognition- and affect-based trust, along with intercultural group climate, and evaluate whether differences in the assessments made by participants impact the outcomes of their knowledge sharing. Our findings, derived from a dyadic study of 101 SIEs and 101 HCNs in China, indicate that affect-based trust fully mediates the association between cognition-based trust and knowledge sharing between SIEs and HCNs. Furthermore, intercultural group climate moderates the mediating effects of cognition-based trust on knowledge sharing via affect-based trust, although not in the hypothesised direction. Our contribution to knowledge management research lies in deepening the insights into how the quality of the exchange relationship between SIEs and HCNs affects the knowledge sharing process.