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Communications of the Association for Information Systems

Author ORCID Identifier

Martin Weisner: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1702-6277

Dennis Fehrenbacher: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2822-800X

Abstract

Recently popularized remote work arrangements have introduced additional hurdles to already-difficult-to-manage, yet critical, organizational knowledge sharing due to reduced face-to-face contacts. While communication technologies have the potential to increase users’ social presence through staff profile photos, little is known about how nonverbal cues signaled through depicted eye gaze affects knowledge sharing. We examine the effects of eye gaze direction depicted in the knowledge requester’s profile photo on the request receiver’s willingness to share knowledge as well as the role of mediating factors identified in the psychology literature. Importantly, we extend theories of nonverbal communication and self-determination to the computer-mediated communication (CMC) context, bridging literature on eye gaze effects in face-to-face and virtual interactions. Results indicate that a front-gaze photo of the requester increases the willingness of the receiver to share knowledge; however, we do not find evidence that the gaze behavior of the receiver (captured via eye-tracking technology) influences knowledge sharing. Our findings provide guidance for the selection of collaboration-enhancing profile photos and inform system designers in their consideration of gaze-related requirements for the upload of photos to organizational systems. Future studies can explore the interplay between visual self-representation, psychological factors, and collaborative behaviors in CMC.

DOI

10.17705/1CAIS.05846

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