Industry culture influences pseudo‐knowledge sharing: a multiple mediation analysis

Purpose The paper seeks to extend self‐determination theory (SDT) and the triple helix model of knowledge sharing to predict that between‐industry differences in financial rewards and the quality of knowledge‐sharing motivation will explain the extent of useless, pseudo‐knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach Participants are certified management accountant (CMA) survey respondents in two industries: finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE; n=52) and higher education (n=50). Findings Consistent with predictions, the results indicate more pseudo‐knowledge sharing occurs among FIRE than among higher‐education CMAs, and, financial incentives and the quality of knowledge‐sharing motivation fully mediate the effect of industry on pseudo‐knowledge sharing. Research limitations/implications A larger sample, and triangulating the survey data with archival and non‐self‐reported measures, would strengthen the inferences and conclusions. Practical implications Industry culture, through its influence on financial rewards and organizational knowledge culture, may affect the success or failure of organizational knowledge‐sharing initiatives. Originality/value This is among the first investigations to define and investigate “dark”, pseudo‐knowledge sharing, which can impede organizational goals.