Knowledge sharing in social networks : considering the role of political skill and trust

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to bring a more individual focus to social networks in theorizing the social process of knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical model proposes that political skill will shape an individual's social network. Further, political skill within a network will influence the degree of complex knowledge sharing, which likely happens through the mechanism of affective- and cognitive-based trust. Findings: Theoretical implications and future research directions are discussed. Originality/value: Knowledge sharing is an inherently social process and as such occurs within the context of social networks in an organization. However, research to date has not fully explored the details of how and why complex knowledge sharing happens within a social network. Generally, theory on social networks has focused on structural qualities of a network, rather than the individual characteristics of the members of that network. This paper brings a more individual focus to social networks in theorizing the social process of knowledge sharing.