Effects of face and guanxi on individual knowledge-sharing intention

• Zhuojia Zhao

  Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

• Hung-Hsin Chen

  East China Normal University

• Po-Yen Lee

  National Taichung University of Education

It is not clear at present why Chinese people’s concern about face hinders the free flow of knowledge in an organizational setting, which key factors contribute to this relationship, and what conditions are necessary for this effect to occur. We applied expectancy theory to examine the specific role of face in both knowledge sharing and guanxi. Participants were 291 Master of Business Administration students, and we applied structural equation modeling to the collected data to thoroughly analyze the direct and indirect effects between factors. Results showed that stronger guanxi between 2 parties was associated with both parties caring less about face. Further, the expectancy of individuals to realize specific knowledge-sharing goals and a good organizational climate, rather than the formal organizational system, were also found to play a role in willingness to share knowledge. Finally, we found that face motivations varied across individuals.

1. Zhuojia Zhao, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
   Department of International Business
2. Hung-Hsin Chen, East China Normal University
   Business School
3. Po-Yen Lee, National Taichung University of Education
   Department of Creative Design and Management

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