EXAMINING THE SHAPING OF THE CHINESE CONCERN FOR FACE AND ITS IMPACT ON KNOWLEDGE SHARING INTENTION IN KMSs

Mei-Lien Young, Nan-Hua University
Kuang Min Wu, Nanhua University

Abstract

The phenomenon of face is fundamental in understanding social interactions in Chinese collectivistic culture. Althoughprevious empirical studies have shown that in Chinese culture, face is critical for the success of knowledge sharing in KMS,much less is known about the factors shaping the concern for face and how those factors lead to impeded knowledgesharing in KMSs. Using data drawn from professionals’ knowledge sharing practices in Taiwanese organizations, thisstudy focuses on a detailed investigation of the Chinese concern for face to enhance the understanding of its influence onknowledge sharing in the KMS context. The research findings show that in Chinese culture, the organization’s subjectivenorms to which the individual is expected to conform, coupled with the authentic self that every individual is requiredcontinually to improve and others’ surveillance of the individual in KMS all contribute to the shaping of the individual’sconcern for face in relation their public self. Moreover, the consequence of the above-mentioned factors is a psychologicalstate of self-surveillance, in which the individual’s concern for face in relation to the public self leads to inhibitedparticipation in knowledge sharing in the KMS context. The findings of this study not only can be used to enhance thedesign and implementation of KMS, particularly in the Chinese context, but also make a theoretical contribution toknowledge sharing research.