Multi-context research on strategy characteristics of knowledge sharing in organization based on dynamic cooperative game perspective

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reveal the characteristics of strategic behavior during knowledge cooperation in organization and compare the differences in strategy choice between knowledge transferor and knowledge receiver under intricate context consisting of two different objective orientations (organizational and individual) and two different information conditions (perfect and imperfect information) that represent different knowledge application contexts (conventional and available knowledge and intricate and personalized knowledge). Moreover, this paper also wishes to develop a new analysis paradigm of dynamic cooperation game to the micro-interactive mechanism research on individuals’ knowledge sharing in organization.Design/methodology/approachThrough comparing and referring to previous literatures, and considering the authentic knowledge cooperation practice, this paper first suggested that the behavior characteristics of knowledge sharing between individuals in organization should be observed from the perspective of dynamic cooperation game that would accurately describe the “coopetition” essence of knowledge sharing. Further, an intricate multi-analysis context including two different objective orientations and two different information conditions was constructed. Under this multi-analysis context, the objective functions of knowledge transferor (knowledge output) and knowledge receiver (knowledge returning) were established respectively. Lastly, according to the revenue optimum principle of organizational and individual the strategic choice characteristics were analyzed through the Nash equilibrium to analyze objective functions.Findings“Knowledge transaction” motive is classic strategic characteristic of individuals’ knowledge cooperation, and to increase competitiveness of knowledge sharer is a crucial prerequisite for knowledge sharing under any analysis context combination (no matter organizational or individual objective, no matter perfect or imperfect information). Knowledge sharing appears more conservative and stringent under imperfect information condition, and the effort level of knowledge transferring is strategically adjusted according to the value assessment of received knowledge. The institutional constraints and incentives have little effect on the promotion of knowledge sharing under the imperfect information condition where professional knowledge is more intricate, personalized and implicit, because organization members are more sensitive to knowledge competitiveness.Originality/valueThis paper provides a knowledge sharing study with a new analysis paradigm from micro-interactive perspective by aiming at the “coopetition” essence of knowledge cooperation in organization. This analysis paradigm chooses the way of dynamic cooperation game to reveal the strategic characteristics of knowledge sharing among individuals (knowledge transferor and knowledge receiver) and to assess the role of institutional constraints and incentives in promoting the knowledge sharing. At the same time, the establishing of multi-context model with two different perspective dimensions (objective orientation and information condition) make research closer to the authentic circumstance of knowledge cooperation in organization.