The Role of Cultural Intelligence in Tacit Knowledge Sharing: An Exploratory Study of Information and Communication Technology Organisations in Australia

In a world of rapidly changing technology, ICT companies require significant tacit knowledge transfer for product development and innovation as well as for sustainable and competitive advantage. However, transferring tacit knowledge among culturally diverse ICT professionals can be challenging due to cultural differences. Thus, ICT professionals require specific skills – awareness, and understanding of cultural differences, interest in interacting with other cultural co-workers and willingness to adjust their behaviour in cross-cultural interactions – to function effectively in a culturally diverse workplace. This book argues that Cultural Intelligence (CQ) can aid ICT professionals in overcoming cross-cultural interaction challenges. On the basis of data gathered from in-depth interviews with ICT professionals across 14 multinational ICT organisations, the book argues that CQ components play a significant role in facilitating tacit knowledge sharing among ICT professionals in a culturally diverse workplace. Also, this book offers a practical conceptual framework for using CQ that can be deployed in culturally diverse ICT work settings to share tacit knowledge effectively.