The Relationship between Knowledge Sharing, Commitment and Opportunism Towards Product Performance in Malaysia

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between knowledge sharing, commitment and opportunism towards product performance.Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire survey was conducted to verify the research model with 100 valid responses from manufacturing firms. The survey data was analysed by regression that assessed the impact on product performance.Findings – This study finds that knowledge sharing among committed business partners suppresses, rather than invites, opportunism.Research limitations/implications –This study have strong managerial implication. Firm that hesitate to share their knowledge with others because of the fear of opportunism should commit more seriously to their business partners so that they could share knowledge for better new product development.Practical implications – It is reasonable to conclude, on this evidence, that product performance can be created and enhanced by gaining knowledge sharing, demonstrating commitment and opportunism.Originality/value – This study contradictory belief that knowledge sharing lead to opportunism because this will help them generate more ideas in new product development. This new belief encourage people in manufacturing industries in Malaysia to have joint business collaboration with other industries without having a trust issue while making them commit in collaborative product performance.