The influence of cultural intelligence on the intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour of knowledge-intensive teams

Abstract

Background: Although knowledge sharing among members of knowledge-intensive teams can enhance an organisation’s competitive advantage, individuals are often reluctant to share their knowledge. Inadequate cultural intelligence could explain this reluctance in knowledge sharing. Empirical research on cultural intelligence and knowledge sharing in a culturally diverse team context is scant, and existing research is rather outdated. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of cultural intelligence on the intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members of knowledge-intensive teams in South African organisations.

Objective: This study aimed to address the gap in the knowledge-sharing literature concerning the relationship between cultural intelligence and intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour, especially in a culturally diverse context such as South Africa. Understanding and successfully managing cultural intelligence in diverse knowledge-intensive teams can increase intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour and, subsequently, an organisation’s overall competitive advantage.

Method: Positivism, which is associated with quantitative research, and a deductive approach were adopted to empirically test the relationship between intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour and cultural intelligence. The data were collected through an online survey from 384 respondents who participated in knowledge-intensive teams in South African organisations. Structural equation modelling was conducted to assess the relationship between the variables.

Results: The results of the study revealed that cultural intelligence is significantly and positively related to intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour.

Conclusion: Team leaders can enhance cultural intelligence and, subsequently, intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour and an organisation’s competitive advantage through practical recommendations proposed by this study.