Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2025

The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
Published on: January 19, 2019
Exploring the Relationship Between Learning Goal Orientation and Knowledge-Sharing Among Information Communication
Linpei Song1, Zhuang Ma2, Jun Huang3
1School of Business Administration, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, South Korea.
Abstract:
Knowledge sharing (KS) is critical for consulting companies to develop sustainable competitive advantages. While the importance of KS in the information communication technology (ICT) sector has been proved, the assumed linear relationships in KS mechanisms are confronted with KS dilemmas: consultants' intention to maximize personal gains from KS resulting in restrained KS efforts, for fear of losing value after sharing knowledge with colleagues. Drawing on motivation theory and goal orientation perspective, this study examines the roles of learning goal orientation (LGO) and incentive schemes in KS among ICT consultants. The multiple regression analyses of 389 consultants' responses from 14 Chinese and 8 Korean ICT consulting companies demonstrated an inverted U-shape relationship between LGO and knowledge sharing; incentive schemes moderate this relationship. The findings shed light on the knowledge-sharing dilemma, with theoretical implications to research regarding goal-orientation, knowledge sharing, and managerial practices about the motivation and incentives of ICT consultants.
Related Concept Videos
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
The theory differentiates between...
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Robbers Cave
Motivational Bias
Social Loafing
Theory of Attribution II: Kelley's Covariation Theory

