How social identification and trust influence organizational online knowledge sharing

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual structural equation model to, first, investigate the relationships among knowledge management (KM) system quality, employees' self-perceived social identification, trust at workplace as well as online knowledge sharing behaviors, and, second, demonstrate the direct and indirect effect of social identification and trust at workplace on online knowledge sharing from the perspective of KM system quality. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire was distributed to 437 full-time employees (n = 437) from three technology companies in Taiwan. These companies have had years of experience in implementing KM systems. Data were analyzed by employing structural equation modeling. Findings - The results show that: social identification and trust at workplace have a mediating effect on online knowledge sharing within organizations; trust at workplace is the stronger mediator than social identification; social identification has a positive and significant impact on trust at workplace; and there is significant correlation between KM system quality and social identification as well as trust. Practical implications - Based on these findings, organizations in Taiwan that aim to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of KM systems should find ways to enhance employees' self-awareness on social identification and trust in the workplace. Originality/value - The conceptual model provides useful information for managers to enhance knowledge sharing through the formation of social identification and promotion of trust at workplaces.