Impact of Knowledge Base on Knowledge Exchange: Commonalities and Differences in the Characteristics of Source and Recipient

In a knowledge transaction, information is shared between a source and recipient. It is argued that the knowledge base of the source and the knowledge base of the recipient will impact an exchange's occurrence. The characteristics of the source's knowledge base and the recipient's knowledge base may be compared in two manners: (1) a single-value continuum and (2) commonalities and differences as separate dimensions. Explanations-economic, technological, organizational/strategic, and sociological - for knowledge sharing are explored using the single continuum and the two-dimension model. We conclude that the rhetoric must change when evaluating actors involved in knowledge sharing. Measurement ramifications for future research and implications for management practitioners are advanced.