The Mediational Role of Trust on the Relationship between Virtual Communication and Knowledge Sharing and the Initial Impact on ODI: A Quasi-experimental Study of the Thailand Appreciative Inquiry Network (AI Thailand)

Abstract

This research aims to: (1) examine the relationship between virtual communication and knowledge sharing within the Thailand Appreciative Inquiry Network (AI Thailand) and the mediational role of trust in this relationship; (2) increase the frequency and quality of virtual communication between AI Thailand and members; (3) design and implement an appropriate Organizational Development Intervention (ODI); and (4) examine the impact of ODI on virtual communication, trust in organization and knowledge sharing in the focal organization. This action research was conducted with AI Thailand and recruited 40 participants who were students from Khon Kaen University. The ODI activities were new virtual communication tools (www.ailearningcircle. com), training and virtual activities that promote social interaction and virtual communication. The results show that : (1) there is a positive relationship between virtual communication and knowledge sharing after ODI; (2) trust does not mediate the relationship between virtual communication and knowledge sharing ; (3) the frequency and quality of virtual communication between AI Thailand and members improved after ODI; and that (4) the participants’ trust in the organization and knowledge sharing increased after ODI.