Why organizations fail to share knowledge : an empirical investigation and opportunities for improvement

Kelly, SJH; Israilidis, J; Siachou, E

Abstract

Purpose – This paper explores critical failure factors (CFFs) in the context of knowledge sharing. It provides
further insights into what can cause knowledge- sharing failures, inflexible knowledge-sharing strategies and
ineffective knowledge- sharing mechanisms. It also examines how practitioners can reduce or even mitigate
such dysfunctions.
Design/methodology/approach – A case-based inductive approach was conducted. Data were collected
from two studies applying mixed methods. The first data set included nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews
with highly skilled personnel from an aerospace and defense organization. The second data source included 375
successfully completed questionnaires from participants employed at the same organization.
Findings – The paper identifies six CFFs with an impact on knowledge sharing. It also reveals that managing
organizational ignorance can play a key role in generating new knowledge and averting failure. Study findings
provide insights into the importance of identifying these failures when sharing knowledge and propose
relevant mitigation strategies.
Originality/value – This paper identifies a range of empirically validated CFFs that complement the extant
work on the complexity of knowledge sharing and have hitherto not been seen in the literature. It also provides
a more nuanced understanding of why both organizations and their people often fail to share knowledge by
exploring the role of organizational ignorance.
Keywords Knowledge sharing, Critical failure factors (CFFs), Organizational ignorance, Mixed methods,
Aerospace and defense industry
Paper type Research paper

Citation

Kelly, S., Israilidis, J., & Siachou, E. (2020). Why organizations fail to share knowledge : an empirical investigation and opportunities for improvement. Information Technology and People, 34(5), 1513-1539. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-02-2019-0058

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Sep 24, 2020
• Publication Date: Sep 24, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 9, 2022
• Journal: Information Technology and People
• Print ISSN: 0959-3845
• Publisher: Emerald
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1513-1539
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-02-2019-0058
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-02-2019-0058