Positive reciprocity belief moderates the effects of trust and felt trust on knowledge-sharing intention

Few of the many studies on trust have taken felt trust into consideration. In this study we compared the effects of trust and felt trust on employees’ knowledge-sharing intention, and tested positive reciprocity belief as a moderator of these relationships. We analyzed survey data from 710 respondents employed at 26 high-tech companies located in Zhejiang and Guangdong Provinces, China, and tested the hypotheses using regression analysis. The results demonstrate that both trust and felt trust promoted the respondents’ knowledge-sharing intention, and that both effects were stronger at higher (vs. lower) levels of positive reciprocity belief. To promote knowledge-sharing intention, we recommend that individuals convey their trust in others in addition to demonstrating their own trustworthiness, especially to those who endorse positive reciprocity. Further, organizations should adopt more practices to assure knowledge donors feel appreciated and relied upon.