ABSTRACT

In this study we explore the drivers and consequences of micro-level instances of knowledge sharing for innovation. We do so by focusing on the temporally bounded conversations that colleagues have about new ideas and we study specifically how the strength of ties between these colleagues influences the duration and breadth of knowledge sharing in the idea-related conversations they have over time. A 14-month on-site field study in a multinational company, in which we mapped 496 dyadic relationships regarding 17 new product ideas, shows that knowledge sharing can be explained by the ties between people being either strong or weak, rather than intermediate. We also discover that characteristics of the idea itself shape how tie strength influences the duration and breadth of knowledge sharing in idea conversations. Finally, we provide initial evidence to show how important conversations are for the success of an idea. Our study sheds light on micro-level instances of knowledge sharing for innovation and provides important insights into how managers can foster an environment in which weak and strong ties can be utilised optimally for sharing knowledge about ideas.

摘要

在这项研究中，我们探讨了创新知识共享的微观实例的驱动因素和后果。我们通过关注同事关于新想法的有时间限制的对话来做到这一点，我们专门研究这些同事之间的联系强度如何影响他们随着时间的推移进行的与想法相关的对话中知识共享的持续时间和广度。在一家跨国公司进行的为期 14 个月的现场实地研究中，我们绘制了关于 17 个新产品创意的 496 个二元关系，表明知识共享可以用人与人之间的强弱联系来解释，而不是中间联系。我们还发现，想法本身的特征决定了联系强度如何影响想法对话中知识共享的持续时间和广度。最后，我们提供初步证据来表明对话对一个想法的成功有多么重要。我们的研究揭示了创新知识共享的微观实例，并提供了重要的见解，让我们了解管理者如何营造一种环境，在这种环境中，可以最佳地利用弱关系和强关系来共享有关思想的知识。