The Influence of Leadership and Trust on the Sharing of Tacit Knowledge: Exploring a Path Model

Information systems engineers were investigated to determine the influence of servant leadership and the quality of the leader-member exchange relationship as influencers of trust and tacit knowledge sharing. This study proposed that there is a path of leadership to the sharing of tacit knowledge that required trust. Findings partially support this notion, as mediation procedures indicate partial mediation exists between servant leadership and tacit knowledge sharing as well as leader-member exchange and tacit knowledge sharing. A path analysis found a strong degree of model fit in the proposed relationship. Categorical moderation indicated that a high level of leader-member exchange will create a high level of tacit knowledge sharing regardless of what servant leadership is like, however, if a high level of leader-member exchange does not exist, servant leadership will strongly influence tacit knowledge sharing. This finding supports the idea that leadership will influence tacit knowledge sharing in general, however servant leadership poses specific advantages with regard to gaining experience and learning from the worker