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Knowledge hiding and knowledge sharing in small family farms: A stewardship view

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  • Hadjielias, Elias
  • Christofi, Michael
  • Tarba, Shlomo

Abstract

The way knowledge hiding co-exists with knowledge sharing in organizations remains under-researched and under-theorized. We focus on family farms, a context where knowledge sharing has been previously heralded as a critical activity for business continuity. We frame our study within stewardship theory and adopt a multiple case study research design. We draw on 51 in-depth interviews from 12 rural family farms in Cyprus. Our findings illustrate that members of farming business families act as stewards and behave in ways that facilitate the sharing or hiding of business knowledge. Business families act in secrecy and exhibit behaviors that can hide business knowledge in the presence of actors who are distrusted, since they carry a risk of knowledge appropriation. Conversely, they share knowledge with individuals they trust to fill resource gaps through behaving in an open manner. Our study contributes theoretically and empirically to the fields of knowledge management and family business.

Suggested Citation

  • Hadjielias, Elias & Christofi, Michael & Tarba, Shlomo, 2021. "Knowledge hiding and knowledge sharing in small family farms: A stewardship view," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 279-292.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:137:y:2021:i:c:p:279-292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.042
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    2. Spielmann, Nathalie & Discua Cruz, Allan & Tyler, Beverly B. & Cerrato, Daniele, 2022. "Signaling stewardship and the value of family in a brand heritage Identity: A cross-cultural study of wineries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 35-45.
    3. Rizomyliotis, Ioannis & Kastanakis, Minas N. & Giovanis, Apostolos & Konstantoulaki, Kleopatra & Kostopoulos, Ioannis, 2022. "“How mAy I help you today?” The use of AI chatbots in small family businesses and the moderating role of customer affective commitment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 329-340.
    4. Discua Cruz, Allan & Hamilton, Eleanor & Campopiano, Giovanna & Jack, Sarah L., 2024. "Women’s entrepreneurial stewardship: The contribution of women to family business continuity in rural areas of Honduras," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 15(1).
    5. Azizi, Mohammad & Salmani Bidgoli, Masoud & Maley, Jane F. & Dabić, Marina, 2022. "A stewardship perspective in family firms: A new perspective for altruism and social capital," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 764-775.
    6. Kowalik, Elena, 2023. "Ethical Problems in Family Firms," Junior Management Science (JUMS), Junior Management Science e. V., vol. 8(2), pages 431-452.
    7. Elias Hadjielias & Michael Christofi & Shlomo Tarba, 2022. "Contextualizing small business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from small business owner-managers," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1351-1380, December.

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