Transactive memory system (TMS) and knowledge sharing: The effects of social capital and task visibility

Abstract

Knowledge sharing plays a fundamental role in the mobile social media context. However, users are more likely to believe that their knowledge sharing is not worth the effort and time given high expectation of receiving some value in return. Social media have limited value if users are not willing to share knowledge. Knowledge sharing with the consideration of transactive memory system (TMS) from the perspectives of social capital and task visibility was examined. Building on prior theories and literature, a TMS knowledge sharing research model was developed. Data were collected from users of social media mobile apps. Results show that TMS is a valid second-order construct. From the social capital perspective, cognitive capital, relational capital and structural capital each have positive effects on TMS which further has a positive effect on knowledge sharing. From the task visibility perspective, knowledge sharing visibility has a positive effect on knowledge sharing.