Teleworker knowledge sharing and the role of altered relational and technological interactions

Given the growing importance and complexities of telework and the challenges associated with knowledge sharing in this study we investigate teleworkers and their propensity to share knowledge We do so by investigating if the relational qualities of teleworkers in the form of trust Interpersonal bond and commitment, act to impact teleworker knowledge sharing We also investigate how telework s altered spatial and technical interactions shape knowledge sharing by testing the contingent role of technology support face to face interactions and electronic tool use Results using matched data from 226 teleworkers support the role of teleworker trust interpersonal bond, and commitment in predicting knowledge sharing Moreover the impact of trust on knowledge sharing is found to be moderated by technology support face-to-face interactions and use of electronic tools whereas the Impact of commitment is contingent upon the use of electronic tools Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd