The purpose of this paper is to provide an argument for implementing a reputation system into virtual knowledge sharing programs.
To help knowledge workers be more generous with their insights and information in a virtual knowledge sharing platform, personal reputation must be examined, assessed, and leveraged as part of the intrinsic value of the program.
Several practical implications emerge in this article: knowledge sharing should be virtual; it should occur outside of functional boundaries; systems should include reputation assessments; power should be in the hands of the individual participants; and no monetary incentive should be given to participating.
