, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THEY WILL USE WAS PROVIDED IN MAIL SURVE...
2003), it is more likely that they will use
was provided in mail surveys for
responses to questions of an open-ended
the knowledge; and once it has been
used, which may occur at a future date,
structure. Perhaps acknowledging the
implicit assumptions that underlie
the knowledge can be said to have been
questions of both an open-ended and
successfully transferred.
closed structure will assist in the
Factors that have been suggested to
comprehension of why there is variation of
findings between studies.
influence the recipient in the sharing
process are absorptive capacity of the
Open-ended questions assume that the
recipient (Szulanski, 1996) and their
respondent has sufficient knowledge on
willingness to accept the shared
the question subject matter to be able to
knowledge (Gupta & Govindarajan, 2000).
Some also consider that a recipient may
respond effectively. Closed or binary
not be willing to accept shared knowledge
questions on the other hand assume that
from others owing to a lack of trust of the
the recipient of the answered responses
source individual (Huemer, von Krogh, &
possesses sufficient background
Roos, 1998), or the ‘not-invented-here’
information about the responding
syndrome (Katz & Allen, 1982). Another
individual’s knowledge to cognitively
aspect that may influence recipients
process the response (Vinten, 1995). The
last assumption may not be accurate when
H
1a
: The responses elicited from
the objective of using closed questions in
open-ended structured questions
will result in the recipient having a
a survey is only to gather total numbers
more favourable attitude towards
that answered in a particular category. For
the knowledge received than for
instance, 28 managers consider there are
no risks and 36 consider there are risks.
binary questions.
However, in an organisation when a
H
1b
: The responses elicited from
recipient has to cognitively process the
directed structured questions will
implications of a ‘no’ response to a
result in the recipient having a more
question in terms of their decision-making,
favourable attitude towards the
understanding the situation surrounding
knowledge received than for open-
the question is of importance.
ended questions.
H
1c