Fostering managers’ knowledge-sharing behavior: The impact of the employee–organization relationship

Fostering managers’ knowledge sharing is very important in the utilization and leverage of organizational knowledge. In this study, we used social cognitive reinforcement theory, which is derived from social learning theory, to examine how the employee–organization relationship (EOR) influences managers’ knowledge-sharing behavior. We surveyed 550 frontline managers from 19 Chinese companies regarding the 2 components of EOR (expected contributions and offered inducements) and knowledge sharing. The results showed that expected contributions positively influenced knowledge sharing, and that offered inducements reinforced the relationship between the employee and the organization. Thus, compared to other approaches, a mutual investment approach, in which employers expect high levels of employee contributions and offer extensive inducements, will foster a higher level of knowledge sharing. Implications for future research are discussed.