Employee Silence is Not Always Consent

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between (employee) silence and knowledge transfer, which has not been adequately examined. Employee silence is the willful withholding of important work related information. This article analyzes the relationship between silence and knowledge transfer and addresses the leadership causes and operational consequences associated with employee silence. We explore the conditions under which knowledge transfer occurs in organizations and the consequences of ineffective knowledge transfer. In conclusion we propose several methods for measuring and eradicating cultures of silence and tested methods to sustain cultures of voice.

Keywords: Human resources, communication, knowledge transfer, employee silence