2007 Volume 20 Issue 1 Pages 1-12
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between knowledge contribution and intrinsic motivation of R&D researchers using statistical analysis.The function and the role of the R&D department in an organization occupy significant positions within technology management, such as in creating innovation or developing new technology both efficiently and effectively, as well as in product development.Prior research discussed the necessity of knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing, to enhance profit and capability at the organizational level, ignoring the aspect of individuals offering worthwhile knowledge to the organization.In this study, we mainly focused on and analyzed individuals who participate in basic or applied research, because study of knowledge sharing should begin with the individual.A questionnaire survey of 398 R&D researchers was conducted in the R&D laboratory of a Japanese Manufacturing Company.We analyzed factors to enhance intrinsic motivation based upon Deci's self-determination theory, and the effects of intrinsic motivation on improving knowledge contribution.As the result, the analysis showed that autonomy enhanced intrinsic motivation intensively, and intrinsic motivation mediated between knowledge acquisition and knowledge contribution.From these findings, we inferred an important role for intrinsic motivation in sharing knowledge in R&D organizations.
