Chunli Zhao

• This dissertation aims to synthesize relevant theories on knowledge sharing and knowledge protection from multiple disciplines that advance our understanding of the factors that facilitate knowledge sharing within firms and impede imitation between firms. It consists of an introduction, conclusion, and three independent studies on different topics. The first study investigated the antecedents to hierarchical knowledge sharing within organizations in China. The second one explored employees' preference for different knowledge sharing tools. The third study analyzed organizational strategies to protect key knowledge against counterfeiters. Quantitative design and qualitative method were applied in this research. Through regression modeling and between-subject design, the empirical findings of the study on a medium-sized Chinese company (N=860) revealed antecedents to employees' knowledge sharing with their supervisors. The identified independent variables that had direct effects were affect-based trust, power distance, and affect commitment. In an attempt to identify the determinants of employees' usage of different knowledge sharing tools, between-subject design helped to identify the key effects of openness to give and seek knowledge, trust, and role-breadth self-efficacy. Finally, the third study suggests a comprehensive anti-counterfeit strategy model aimed at helping companies to understand different sources of threats within the unique Chinese environment. This strategy model is aimed at examining and improving companies' existing corporate strategies against counterfeiting, and, lastly, it aims at developing and introducing new and effective approaches against counterfeiting. The model includes five different strategic perspectives, and implications for practice and suggestions for future research were drawn from the study findings.