Exploring the mediating role of trust on the relationship between guanxi and knowledge sharing: a social network perspective

Abstract

The current study adopts the social network perspective to propose a conceptual model and examine how guanxi influences knowledge sharing via trust. This paper addresses the concept of interpersonal relationships in the context of C hinese culture and applies it as a guanxi. This research gathers data from 213 employees from 100 high‐technology firms in T aiwan and performs data management and analysis using hierarchical regression analyses to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that guanxi has a positive effect on both trust and knowledge sharing on an individual level. Trust has a positive effect on knowledge sharing, and it partially mediates the effects of guanxi on knowledge sharing. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed, for example, the designs of teamwork and incentives.