De keerzijde van cohesie? : een onderzoek naar de positieve en negatieve invloed van cohesie op solidair gedrag en kennisdelen in teams

This study aims at possible negative outcomes of strong cohesion for cooperation within teams. Using questionnaire data from 456 employees of 10 organizations, expectations were tested that cohesion has a positive influence on horizontal solidarity behaviour and knowledge sharing, and a U-shaped influence on vertical solidarity behaviour and knowledge sharing. Results show that cohesion has a positive influence on both horizontal and vertical solidarity behaviour. Knowledge sharing does not exist of a horizontal and a vertical component, but is effected as a whole by cohesion. This effect is direct and U-shaped, as well as indirect through vertical solidarity behaviour. This study indicates that particularly employers who rely on knowledge sharing, have to be alert on cohesion that is too strong