Anonymous knowledge sharing in a virtual environment: a preliminary investigation

This paper presents the results of a small pilot study examining how anonymity may potentially affect knowledge sharing in an organisation. Staff employed in a Scottish university were invited to post responses, anonymously or by including their e‐mail address, in relation to a newly introduced car park scheme on campus. One hundred and forty‐five staff participated in the study with just under half responding anonymously. The responses were analysed by content and length and the results show that very negative responses are less likely to be anonymous. While a similar proportion of identified and anonymous responses were negative in content, a higher proportion of identified responses supplied very negative responses. While suggested improvements and helpful comments are also less likely to be made anonymously, individuals are more likely to anonymously share or discuss complaints relating to past experiences and issues. In addition, anonymous responses tend to be shorter in length and more to the point than identified responses.