Knowledge sharing between companies and its consequences: a study in coworking spaces

Knowledge sharing is a process for companies to acquire knowledge and remain competitive and adaptable. At the same time, sharing can compromise the uniqueness of a company's repository of knowledge, affecting its exclusivity. This research analyzes knowledge sharing between companies in coworking spaces and its consequences, considering the features of this type of organization. A case study was conducted in 5 of these spaces, in which 31 interviews, documents and observations were made for subsequent content analysis. The practices identified show that the coworking environment favors the management of information and knowledge and are associated with: performance of managers and employees of the spaces in interactions; parallel initiatives of the spaces; internal structure and distribution; characteristics of the external environment; own digital platforms and interactive media for communication; contact with external professionals; frequency and content of the formal events promoted. The management of these businesses is facilitated when it is evidenced that self-employed professionals and small teams are more aligned with the dynamics of coworking spaces; formal events are more favorable for interactions, and facilitation by managers is essential; own digital platforms, Instagram and WhatsApp support the practices identified, highlighting that emails are no longer used.