Knowledge management in Chinese organizations : collectivist values for open-minded discussions
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Journal of Human Resource Management
Publication Date
10-1-2011
Volume
22
Issue
16
First Page
3393
Last Page
3412
Keywords
China, Collectivism, Controversy, Individualism, Knowledge sharing, Organizational values
Abstract
Employees from different departments of an organization often do not have the relationships and interaction patterns that facilitate integrating and applying their knowledge together. This study proposes that departments that develop collectivist rather than individualist relationships engage in constructive controversy (CC) and share knowledge. Results using data from CEOs and Vice Presidents of various industries and regions of China suggested that collectivist but not individualistic values promote open-minded discussion of views which results in knowledge sharing. Coupled with previous research, these results suggest that collectivist values and CC provide an important foundation for productive knowledge management in organizations.
DOI
10.1080/09585192.2011.560864
Print ISSN
09585192
E-ISSN
14464399
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2011 Taylor & Francis
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chen, G., Tjosvold, D., & Li, N., Fu, Y., & Liu, D. (2011). Knowledge management in Chinese organizations: Collectivist values for open-minded discussions. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(16), 3393-3412. doi: 10.1080/09585192.2011.560864