Antecedents of Online Knowledge Seeking of Employees in Technical R&D Team: An Empirical Study in China
基于社会认知理论、期望理论和理性行为理论，研究了246名技术研发人员在线知识寻求行为的前因，发现计算机自我效能、内外动机和知识共享规范有正向影响，且知识共享规范调节外在动机与行为的关系。
The Internet provides the most extensive platforms for information and knowledge seeking. Accordingly, investigating antecedents for online knowledge seeking becomes an important topic for managing knowledge-based work and innovation. Taking an integrative approach drawing on social cognitive theory, expectancy theory, and theory of reasoned action, this article examines the antecedents of online knowledge seeking with a sample of 246 professionals in 43 technical R&D teams. The results reveal that 1) computer-based self-efficacy, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and norms of knowledge sharing have a joint and positive effect on online knowledge seeking behavior; and 2) norms of knowledge sharing positively moderate the relationship between extrinsic motivation and online knowledge seeking. This article is one of the few that develop and empirically test an integrative model of antecedents for online knowledge seeking. The findings not only contribute to the knowledge seeking and knowledge management literatures, but also shed light on managing employee knowledge behaviors and learning via the means of the Internet.