An Empirical Investigation of Knowledge‐Sharing in Networks

Summary Given the growing importance of knowledge‐sharing, the primary purpose of this research is to develop and test a series of hypotheses regarding interorganizational knowledge‐sharing with different actors in networks. Findings, based on responses from 182 firms, reveal that a firm's degree of knowledge‐sharing with research institutions and customers is positively influenced by the firm's resource commitment. As expected, the firms' satisfaction is positively related to the frequency of communication. Consistent with the proposed hypotheses, knowledge tacitness diminishes the effect sharing knowledge with suppliers has on satisfaction. Contrary to expectations, tacitness positively moderates the effect sharing knowledge with customers has on satisfaction. Overall, this paper establishes the foundation for a more fine‐grained analysis of knowledge‐sharing with customers, suppliers and research institutions in a network setting.