AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE EXISTENCE, RELATEDNESS, AND GROWTH NEEDS (ERG) THEORY IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING BEHAVIORS OF KNOWLEDGE WORKERS

摘要

This study utilized Alderfer's existence, relatedness, and growth (ERG) theory of human needs as the basic framework to examine knowledge sharing behaviors of knowledge workers. The posited theoretical model was validated using a field survey of knowledge workers. Results reveal that knowledge sharing behaviors could be grouped into the three need categories of ERG: the need for existence, relatedness, and growth. Among the three needs, the existence and relatedness needs exerted a strong positive influence on the knowledge sharing behavior of knowledge workers. Based on the results, we discuss the study's implications for research and practice.