Trust And Knowledge Sharing In Temporary Project Teams: A Literature Review

Abstract

Knowledge has become a pivotal organisational asset, with its value realised primarily through effective sharing. This is especially critical in project-based organisations (PBOs), where temporary teams operate in dynamic environments. Trust is a key enabler influencing knowledge sharing within these teams. This paper reviews literature on the relationship between trust and knowledge sharing in project teams, focusing on how trust facilitates or impedes knowledge flow. It examines mechanisms for trust development in temporary, team-based organisational structures and explores the concept of swift trust as a model for rapid trust formation. The review identifies gaps in understanding how traditional trust models apply to temporary teams and highlights unique challenges in PBOs, where trust must often be established quickly among members without prior relationships. Findings suggest that while trust remains essential for effective knowledge sharing, its development in temporary teams relies on different mechanisms than in long-term teams. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for early trust-building strategies in temporary teams and calls for further research on trust dynamics in these contexts.