Knowledge sharing in a complex organization: Antecedents and safety effects

Abstract

In a safety perspective, exchange of experiences and information within and across departmental, organizational, and geographical boundaries is important. Valuable knowledge may reside in different organizational units and locations, and the ability to learn from failures thus depends on efficient knowledge exchange processes. This paper focuses on sharing and application of knowledge in a high risk, inter-organizational setting. Based on data from a survey with respondents from a petroleum operating company and eight of its main contractors, the paper investigates the antecedents and effects of knowledge sharing behavior. The overall results show that work experience, training, intrinsic motivation, job autonomy, location, and management support influence the level of knowledge sharing behavior, which again affects knowledge exploitation related to safe work conduct. However, the analyses also reveal that work location is an important conditioning variable, as the effects of education, training, job autonomy, and management support on knowledge sharing behavior depend on whether the respondents work offshore or onshore. An implication is that work location is a significant factor to consider when initiatives for improving knowledge sharing behavior are to be designed and implemented.