Improving knowledge transfer through enterprise social media : the mediating role of transactive memory

Purpose: Enterprise social media can be the organizational transactive memory in which the knowledge dialogue provides users with the metaknowledge to support knowledge transfer. The purpose of this study is to examine a mediation model to show how perceived critical mass, openness and affiliation climate affect organizational knowledge transfer through the mediation of improving the metaknowledge of who knows what and whom. Design/methodology/approach: To test the mediation model and corresponding hypotheses, this study employs structural equation modeling analysis using 264 valid questionnaires. Findings: The study found the two mediators fully explained the effects of the three preconditions on knowledge transfer. Originality/value: These results help us to better understand the benefits of enterprise social media and the functions of transactive memory in organizations.