Knowledge Sharing among Scientists: Why Reputation Matters for RandD in Multinational Firms »

Prescott C. Ensign is Assistant Professor of Management, University of Ottawa.

This study explores the relationship between social characteristics of scientists and the interpersonal sharing of technological knowledge. The findings illuminate attributes of reputation conducive to the voluntary transfer of timely, relevant, technological knowledge among individual R&D scientists in the same multidivisional, multinational firm.

List of Figures ix

List of Tables xi

Foreword xiii

Preface xix

Acknowledgments xxiii

1 Introduction 1

2 Theory and Hypotheses 17

3 Research Design and Methods 39

4 Construction of Variables 63

5 Contextual Variables and Knowledge Sharing 95

6 Testing of Hypotheses 123

7 Discussion and Conclusions 151

Appendix A Survey Instrument (Sharing Version) 175

Appendix B Survey Instrument (Non-Sharing Version) 183

Notes 193

References 197

Index 217