Knowledge sharing among R&D scientists

This study explores the relationship between reputation and knowledge sharing behavior in an environment where R&D work is embedded in a social context and may be broken down physically, organizationally, and by area of technology. Scientists in the same firm, though comprising a social community, may work in different locations, may be separated by organizational boundaries (e.g., teams, departments), and work in different scientific disciplines. Findings illuminate attributes of reputation conducive to collaboration. This research examines one scientist´s decision to provide or not provide technological knowledge to another scientist in his or her firm. Analysis is based on 213 returned surveys. It was found that the dimensions of reputation, past behavior and expected action, influence the knowledge sharing decision.