Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

Information sharing theory and knowledge sharing propensity 
“Knowledge sharing propensity” is a derivative of the information sharing model by Constant 
et al
(1994; 
1996) who proposed that propensity to share information or knowledge exists in correlation with individual 

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2007 Annual International CHRIE Conference & Exposition 
348
motivations as well as organizations’ culture and norms regarding information ownership. Further, acts of sharing 
knowledge are forms of pro-social transformation behaviors aimed at maintaining the well being and integrity of 
others (Jarvenpaa & Staples, 2000, p.135). On one hand, knowledge sharing is a personal norm reflecting costs and 
benefits of sharing since knowledge is a personal asset and a political tool by which individuals exercise control 
over and receive desirable behaviors from others (Davenport, 2001). On the other hand, an individual’s perception 
of information ownership can have a significant impact on knowledge sharing in online communities. Because 
community members view knowledge as a social good and wish favorable outcomes for not only themselves but 
also others in the online community, the knowledge sharing activities are favorably influenced (Jarvenpaa & Staples, 
2000). However, this individual propensity also coexists with the organizational culture of information ownership 
(Dodds, Watts & Sabel, 2003). This notion suggests that although personal expertise is a product of individual toil, it 
belongs to the organization as a whole. Therefore, individuals feel constrained to share this kind of information with 
members outside the organization, especially the ones in an online community. Constant 
et al
(1996) made an 
interesting yet counterintuitive point in this regard. In their study of knowledge sharing behavior in electronic 
collaborative media, they observed that viewing knowledge as an organization’s product (e.g. product information) 
or personal expertise (e.g. techniques) influenced individual knowledge sharing behavior differently with the former 
having a negative impact and the latter a positive impact on the propensity to share. This indicates that individuals 
view certain types of specific knowledge as solely belonging to the organization and view personal expertise as their 
own asset. In order to test this dichotomy, both forms of knowledge were incorporated in the current study.