Challenges of Cross-cultural Knowledge Sharing and Managerial Implications

Abstract

: Due to globalization, the importance of diversified work force has been amplified and so is the case of knowledge and knowledge management; due to knowledge being the source of gaining competitive advantage for the organizations. However, this is irony that despite exceeding focus of researchers and practitioners on the analysis of the influence of cultural diversity on various dimensions of organizational performance; very little research has been conducted to understand the factors that impede the sharing of knowledge in culturally diversified teams. The need of conducting research on this objective intensifies by the fact that cultural diversity, despite being effective from a number of organizational performance outcomes; has been posited by researchers as a big hurdle and challenge for the sharing of organizational knowledge; due to the differences of languages, cultural values, knowledge sharing behaviours, modes of communication, cognitive styles and organizational cultural differences. Owing to these challenges, it is very much important for the researchers and practitioners to analyse the factors that negatively affect the sharing of knowledge in culturally diversified organizations, so that the organizations may be able to understand the true picture, plan accordingly and capitalize on the diverse knowledge resources, talents and expertise of their employees. It is expected that this research paper will unveil some key concepts, issues and aspects of the barriers to organizational knowledge sharing in culturally diversified organizations and will open possibilities and avenues to guide the managers and practitioners to reduce the negative effects of cultural diversity on knowledge sharing and convert it into a source of fostering knowledge sharing within organizations. We also hope that this paper will open new venues of research for the researchers and will provide support in making research instruments for conducting research.