Knowledge sharing in higher education institutions

Why do academicians share knowledge? A study of higher education institutions in India

Purpose

Indian higher education institutions are diverse in nature; there are institutions with good infrastructure and resources as well as institutes that have little in terms of resources and infrastructure. Keeping in mind the relevance of knowledge sharing in academic institutions, the researchers in the present study have tried to find factors determining the knowledge sharing behavior of the academicians of different institutes in India.

Design

The researchers in the present work have expanded on extant research by demarcating factors that affect the knowledge sharing behavior of academicians. A structured questionnaire was shared through e-mail and social media groups, and a snowball approach was used to reach out to the maximum number of respondents.

Findings

The present study offers an integrated and extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) theoretical model, augmenting it with constructs such as motivation and the opportunity to share knowledge adapted from related studies. The findings of this research provide theoretical as well as practical suggestions in determining and explaining the knowledge sharing behavior of academicians.

Originality

The researchers in the present study have tried to present a shorter and more reliable scale that can be used to assess the behavioral intentions of academicians to share knowledge.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on knowledge sharing in UK higher education

Purpose

The paper aims to explore “content” factors influencing consumptive and contributive use of enterprise social networking within UK higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology uses genre analysis and grounded theory to analyse empirical data from posts obtained through Microsoft Yammer and a focus group.

Findings

The findings reveal the motivators-outcomes-strategies and the barriers-outcomes-strategies of users. Motivators (M) include feature value, Information value, organizational requirement and adequate organizational and technical support. Barriers (B) include six factors, including resisting engagement on the online platform, emotional anxiety, loss of knowledge, the lack of organizational pressure, lack of content quality and lack of time. An Outcomes (O) framework reveals benefits and dis-benefits and strategies (S) relating to improving user engagement.

Practical implications

The research method and resultant model may serve as guidelines to higher educational establishments interested in motivating their staff and scholars around the use of enterprise social network (ESN) systems, especially during face-to-face restrictions.

Originality/value

This research study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic which provides a unique setting to examine consumptive and contributive user behaviour of ESN’s. Furthermore, the study develops a greater understanding of “content” factors leading to the benefits or dis-benefits of ESN use, drawing on user motivators, barriers and strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in UK education.

Trust and social network to boost tacit knowledge sharing with mediation of commitment: does culture moderate?

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the tacit knowledge-sharing framework among Pakistani academicians. The objective is to study trust and social networks as antecedents to foster tacit knowledge sharing with the mediating role of commitment. Furthermore, the moderating role of organizational knowledge-sharing culture is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied a survey-based quantitative research design to test the proposed model. The nature of data are cross-sectional and collected with stratified random sampling among public sector higher education professionals of Pakistan. The total sample size for the present research is 247 respondents. The variance-based structural equation modeling technique by using Smart_PLS software is used for analysis.

Findings

Data analysis and results reveal that trust and social networks are significant predictors of tacit knowledge sharing among Pakistani academicians while commitment positively mediated the relationships. While the moderating role of organizational knowledge-sharing culture is also established.

Research limitations/implications

The current research explains tacit knowledge sharing among academics with fewer antecedents i.e. social network and trust with limited sample size and specific population. There is still a great deal of work to be done in this area. Hence, the study provides direction for including knowledge-oriented leadership and knowledge governance in the current framework. Moreover, the framework can be tested in different work settings for better generalization.

Practical implications

The study gives an important lead to practitioners for enhancing tacit knowledge sharing at the workplace through a robust social network of employees, building trust and boosting employees’ commitment, as well as through supportive organizational knowledge sharing culture.

Originality/value

The research comprehends the tacit knowledge sharing framework with theoretical arrangements of trust, social networks, commitment and culture in higher education workplace settings under the umbrella of social capital theory.

Bibliometric analysis of the VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems: 2000–2020

Purpose

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems (VJIKMS) is one of the oldest and leading journals in the knowledge management (KM) field. The purpose of this study is to conduct bibliometrics analysis of publications published in VJIKMS for the past two decades. For doing this, this paper covered the past two decades of publications and carried out a science mapping analysis of publications.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology included bibliometrics and the science mapping analysis process. This paper imported the bibliographic information of VJIKMS from the abstract and citation database Scopus. Through bibliometrics method, this paper examined the citation results, author productivity, authorship pattern, research collaboration and other parameters of the selected publications. Afterward, this paper used VOSviewer software to carry out the science mapping of bibliometric networks.

Findings

The findings showed that VJIKMS published 718 publications during 2000–2020, which got cited 4,311 times (6 times per article) till date. Joint authorship and international collaboration have been increasing where 1,417 authors from 66 countries have published. The USA, the UK and Iran lead the KM publications in this journal. Nonaka’s publications and Journal of Knowledge Management (JKM) are highly cited references and journals in the VJIKMS.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study would help the KM students, researchers and practitioners to see the diffusion of KM globally, what are the promising areas to work and helps to know the various patterns of publications if they aim to publish in VJIKMS.

Originality/value

This is the first time a bibliometric analysis has been conducted to analysis of research publications published in VJIKMS. This presents a comprehensive analysis of publications between 2000 and 2020.

Significance of Job Attitudes and Motivation in Fostering Knowledge Sharing Behaviour Among Bank Personnel

This research examines the association of job attitudes (i.e. job involvement, job satisfaction, and commitment) with knowledge sharing behaviour of bank personnel through behavioural antecedents (i.e. motivation, attitude, and intentions to share knowledge). The hypothesised relationships among job attitudes (excluding job involvement), behaviour antecedents, and knowledge sharing behaviour are significant and consistent. Notably, the association of job satisfaction with the motivation to share knowledge is insignificant. The survey results are based on data from a stratified multistage cluster sample of 316 public and private sector bank professionals from Pakistan, analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS)-Structure Equation Modelling (SEM). The research provides a framework for theoretical and practical implications in knowledge-intensive organisations to foster knowledge sharing that increases individual as well as organisational productivity. The study paves the way for future research by including knowledge-oriented leadership, culture, trust, knowledge governance, and citizenship behaviour in the current framework for analysis in diverse geographical and demographical contexts.

Determinants of knowledge-sharing behaviour among students at higher educational institutions in Oman: a planned behaviour theoretical perspective of knowledge sharing

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how students’ attitude (SA), students’ subjective norms (SN), students’ knowledge sharing intentions (KSI) can contribute to the enhancement of knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) among students at higher education institutes (HEI) in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the quantitative methodology and the deductive causal research approach. The data were conveniently collected through a Web-based questionnaire (Google forms) from 285 active students who are affiliated to Omani universities. SPSS was used to statistically analyse the collected data, including partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM V3.3) to draw the results.

Findings

The study concluded that SA has both direct and indirect positive impact on SN, KSI and KSB. Moreover, the result revealed that there is a mediation effect between SA and KSB through KSI, SA and KSI when SN is playing as a mediation role.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge, this study is limited by the scarcity of the related literature in the Omani context. It is recommended that these shortfalls be addressed together while improving the knowledge-sharing behaviour among students and administrative staff. Furthermore, the potential variation between academic staff and students in terms of factors affecting their intentions to share knowledge within HEIs should be explored.

Practical implications

This research provides policymakers in academic fields with the appropriate approaches to leverage the knowledge-sharing behaviour amongst Omani students with the understanding of the main factors affecting individuals’ knowledge-sharing behaviours.

Social implications

This will help in improving the means of employing and practising knowledge-sharing strategies within HEIs, which can generate competitive advantages amongst students and institutions while benefiting knowledge management strategies and its members.

Originality/value

The importance of the study stems from its context being conducted in Oman as a developing country. In addition, this study is one of the initial attempts to investigate KSB by considering SA, SN and KSI and its applicability on HEI in Oman. The findings of the study can serve as inputs to HEI in developing best practices across KSB dimensions and expanding the knowledge-sharing culture amongst HEI’s students in Oman. One of the developed strategies is the spreading of the knowledge-sharing culture among students by positively directing their attitude towards the practices of knowledge exchange.

Can Cultural Intelligence Affect Employee's Innovative Behavior? Evidence From Chinese Migrant Workers in South Korea

This empirical study explores the effect of cultural intelligence (CQ) on migrant workers’ innovative behavior, as well as the mediating role of knowledge sharing on the CQ-innovative behavior relationship. Besides, it also examines the extent to which the mediating process is moderated by climate for inclusion. Using survey data collected from Chinese migrant workers and their supervisors working in South Korea (n = 386), migrant workers’ CQ is found to positively impact their innovative behavior through enhanced knowledge sharing. However, it is observed that this indirect relationship is significant, only for migrant workers in a strong climate for inclusion. Thus, these findings reveal the underlying mediation and moderation mechanism and consequently unveil the important role of migrant workers’ CQ in shaping their behavior. This study provides insightful and practical implications to a multicultural organization, where culturally diverse migrant workers work together.

Determinants of Individuals’ Tacit Knowledge Sharing

Knowledge sharing (KS) is classified as the exchange of beliefs among individuals. Knowledge is seen as a critical asset of an organisation that can be useful in enhancing the efficiency of its operational processes. Based on previous studies, a model was developed to suggest a relationship between knowledge sharing and four of the individual determinants, namely, image, self-worth, self-efficacy and extrinsic motivation. A total of 105 questionnaires were used to collect data from senior high-school teachers in the new Juaben Municipality, Ghana. Partial least square (PLS) was utilised to analyse the data. The result of the study indicates that self-efficacy and self-worth have a positive significant relationship with knowledge sharing. However, the hypotheses on image and extrinsic motivation fail to be supported. The practical implications of these results are discussed.

Relationship between Organizational Culture and Knowledge Sharing: A Study of University Librarians

This paper aims to examine how librarians construe organizational culture based on employees’ satisfaction, good leadership, and organizational support with knowledge sharing practices relationships. The quantitative research method, using a structured questionnaire comprised of three constructs of Organizational Culture (OC), including employees’ satisfaction, good leadership, and organizational support, and six constructs of Knowledge Sharing (KS) (innovation, collaboration, communication channel, trust, loyalty, and ethics), was considered as the most suitable for this study. Correlation research design and Pearson correlation test were used for examining the relationships between OC and KS with respect to academic librarians. The findings disclosed significant relationships between OC and KS among the study participants. Organizational support followed by good leadership style and employees’ satisfaction are the strong predictors of knowledge sharing practices in the context of this study. This study has some practical implications for academic library administrators to consider the role of effective organizational culture in promoting knowledge sharing practices among LIS professionals. This paper is the first attempt to explore the relationship between OC and KS in library perspective.

An integrated understanding of academics knowledge sharing behaviour

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the underlying functions of sense of spirituality (SS), emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived work environment (PWE) towards knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) among the academic staff of higher learning institutions (HLIs) through a comparative investigation. This study extends the investigation by examining the relationship between SS and KSB through the mediating role of EI. The moderating role of PWE between SS and KSB was also tested.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprised 300 responses from 150 Bangladeshi and 150 Malaysian academic staff of public and private HLIs. Convenient sampling tools were used. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the proposed model and hypotheses. The study explains the differences and similarities in KSB practices concerning SS, EI and PWE of the academic staff from the two countries’ HLIs.

Findings

The results support the direct positive effects of SS on KSB. The two data sets also support the indirect effects of SS on KSB through the mediation of EI. However, the results indicate that SS only promoted KSB among individuals with high levels of PWE in their respective institutions. For individuals with low levels of PWE, SS did not affect KSB.

Practical implications

The management of HLIs should engage their experiences and those of newly hired academic staff in the KSB process. However, in facilitating KSB culture among the academic staff, HLIs need to foster the staff’s SS, which ultimately improvises the EI to strongly influence KSB. The management of HLIs understands that SS may be inefficient in promoting KSB among employees with low PWE. Authorities of HLIs need to facilitate a quality work environment to enhance the association between SS and KSB.

Originality/value

This study is one of the initial attempts to investigate KSB by considering SS, EI and PWE in the context of Bangladesh and Malaysia HLIs. The findings of the study can serve as inputs to HLIs in developing best practices across KSB dimensions and improving academic staff performance.

Impact of personal and organizational factors on knowledge sharing attitude of university teachers in Pakistan

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the attitude of faculty members towards knowledge-sharing in the University of Education, Lahore. The impact of personal and organizational factors that may contribute to effective knowledge-sharing among the university’s teaching staff is also analyzed. The factors affecting the willingness of the faculty members to share knowledge are broadly classified as “organizational” and “personal” factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on permanent teaching staff working at different campuses of the University of Education all over the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The survey instrument for this study was adapted from four studies. The questionnaires were distributed among 246 faculty members personally.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that the faculty members were familiar with the importance of knowledge-sharing and were also interested in sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. The results showed that organizational factors (trust, reward system and organizational culture) played a vital role in enhancing the knowledge-sharing attitude of faculty members. The impact of these factors on knowledge-sharing attitude was significant.

Originality/value

This is the very first study which explored the personal and organizational factors of knowledge-sharing in a specific academic institution from Pakistan. The findings of the research provided useful insights to the management of the University of Education particularly and other universities in general to design strategies for enhancing knowledge-sharing culture in the higher education institution. These findings may also be helpful for other developing countries.

A theoretical and empirical validation of information technology and path-goal leadership on knowledge creation in university

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the importance of maximizing resources in an institution to promote knowledge management (KM) practices, namely, leadership, information technology (IT) and KM. The relationship among them was analyzed. Previous studies’ relating aspects of KM were concerned about the industry; however, the academic institution has not received much attention. Therefore, to address this in an academic setting, the authors developed research model by focusing on an academic institution.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used structural equation modeling to check the research prototype with a sample of 160 respondents. The respondents were heads of departments, lecturers and general employees. In addition, the authors used SPSS to measure demographic, non-response bias and generate descriptive statistics.

Findings

The findings of this research show that the leadership style with path goal theory and IT are elements that support KM program in university setting. The results of hypothesis are displayed in Figure 2, including examining factors that influence of path goal theory, technology and KM program. In other hand, path goal theory had a positive influence on KM program (c = 0.13,p< 0.05), and IT had a positive influence on KM program (c = 0.20,p< 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

Finally, the authors are not to claim that this will be suitable in many academic institutions and organization types. In this study, the authors tested or checked existing leadership style in university, then suggest/explain to University what style of leadership currently they have and suggest to them how this style may support knowledge sharing practice in University. While the strength of this study provides an opportunity to explore the KM program of an academic institution, limitations do exist above. Therefore, this statement needs to be investigated and validated further.

Practical implications

The findings of this research may help companies and workers to initiate sharing knowledge or to encourage knowledge sharing in University. In addition, managerial staffs/officers are supposed to make standardization or regulation to encourage workers’ participation for transferring their knowledge. In this aspect, company needs create such as training or formal/informal meeting to make their workers more confidence to communicate each other.

Originality/value

The authors have combined various aspects, namely, KM, leadership style and social media tools, to solve the obstacle of knowledge sharing practices.

The Influence of Personal and Organizational Factors on Researchers’ Attitudes towards Sustainable Research Productivity in Saudi Universities

Purpose: This paper studies organisational and personal factors affecting the behaviour of academic staff in Saudi universities. It seeks to investigate the beliefs of academic staff regarding the use of ICT and other factors to enhance the productivity of their scientific research. Also, this study aims to improve the sustainability of publication in Saudi universities. ICT includes using the library system for accessing research repository databases such as Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, etc. and other factors. The authors also developed the Importance Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) for these factors in order to provide guidelines for Saudi universities to build university systems to manage and measure the research productivity of academic staff. In summary, this research identifies factors critical to enhancing research productivity in Saudi universities. This will help to improve the sustainability of publication in Saudi universities. By enhancing the sustainability of publication, the reputation of Saudi universities will be improved and the reputation of academic staff in Saudi universities. As well the sustainability of publication will assist the promote of Saudi academic staff. Approach: This paper analysed 200 papers related to the enhancement of research productivity from various research databases such as Science Direct, IEEE and Scopus. We included the usage of ICT in research analysis, university policy, university research funding and the number of publications published by academic staff. The authors used different databases and systematic literature reviews (SLR) to find the most important factors which could improve research productivity in universities. An online questionnaire answered by 375 academic staff from four developing Saudi universities that are Taif University, Taibah University, Jeddah University, Hail University—was used to determine the relationship between information technology factors and research performance together with other factors such as university policy, international collaboration, research funding and job satisfaction. In this study, we used SmartPLS v3 to analyse the results from the questionnaires. Findings: The results show that personal factors such as personal use of ICT and organisational factors such as job satisfaction, university policy, IT funding, international collaboration and the level of ICT use in the university have positive effects on scientific research productivity among academic staff at Saudi universities. Those results are based on the beliefs of academic staff regarding the use of information technology for research purposes and other factors. This paper finds that university policy recorded an importance of 0.523, job satisfaction was 0.224, international collaboration was 0.103, personal use of ICT was 0.102, the level of using ICT in the university was 0.074 and the importance of ICT funding was –0.156. Also, the results from SmartPLS show that university policy has a 0.215 effect size on research performance, job satisfaction has a 0.045 effect size on research performance, international collaboration has a 0.009 effect size on research performance, personal use of ICT has a 0.011 effect size on research performance, a university’s use of ICT has a 0.006 effect size on research performance and ICT funding has a 0.014 effect size on the research performance of academic staff in Saudi universities. These results will help to improve the sustainability of publication in Saudi universities in order to enhance the universities’ rankings and the reputation of academic staff. Sustainability is a target for any organization, both for profit-making entities or non-profit organizations such as universities. This means that Saudi universities should enhance the sustainability of their publication. In order to achieves the goals of higher education institutions. Originality: No study has investigated the factors affecting the performance of academic staff in Arab countries, especially in Saudi universities. Therefore, the originality of this study resides in being the first study to investigate the impact of researchers’ attitudes to enhancing the research productivity performance of researchers in Saudi universities. Also, it is one of the few studies which discusses sustainability in Saudi universities.

Uncovering the role of social media and cross-platform applications as tools for knowledge sharing

Purpose

Leaders, consultants and researchers are increasingly focused on enhancing the adoption of social networking tools to increase knowledge sharing practices and the success rate of organizations. This study was conducted to explore the adoption of social networking applications in public and private sector universities. This paper aims to discover how social networking applications can foster knowledge sharing practices among employees of universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an interpretivist, qualitative research design using grounded theory. Fifty-two semi-structured and non-directive interviews were undertaken with employees of public and private sector universities. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and thematic analysis was performed using the NVivo 11-Plus.

Findings

The study highlights how social media networking applications can be used effectively and efficiently to foster knowledge sharing practices in the workplace. Five emerging themes are identified as follows. Social media networking tools can enhance new knowledge, increase employee skills, promote a knowledge sharing culture, foster effective communication and increase employee involvement in research activities.

Research limitations/implications

Social networking applications have received attention because executives and researchers are increasingly focused on finding new ways to use social networking tools in business. The effective and efficient use of social networking tools helps organizations to foster knowledge amongst employees, and can address various critical issues such as knowledge hoarding, lowers levels of skills and knowledge, poor communication and employee involvement, the lack of desire to share knowledge, and resistance toward technology.

Originality/value

A brief systematic literature review on social media and knowledge sharing highlights that only 11 per cent of studies found that examined the link between social media and knowledge sharing practices across the world. The study therefore represents an effort to shed new light on the adoption of social networking tools in the context of knowledge sharing among universities employees. Social media applications have become popular across the world, and the speed of their uptake is evolving rapidly. However, their contribution toward organizational change is not yet known.

Knowledge-sharing and collaborative behaviour: An empirical study on a Portuguese higher education institution

Collaboration has been considered a way to address the challenges of the 21st century, fostering the necessary innovation, growth and productivity for all parties involved. Several studies reveal that collaboration can be strongly influenced by knowledge sharing. The literature suggests that this topic is quite relevant and that there is an evident lack of empirical studies that properly investigate the relationship between knowledge-sharing and collaborative behaviour in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In this context, the purpose of this work is to examine whether knowledge-sharing intention has a positive relationship with collaborative behaviour among professors and researchers in a public Portuguese HEI, taking into account other constructs that can have effect on the knowledge-sharing intention. In order to reach this objective, a conceptual research model was developed based on the theory of reasoned action. The empirical study was conducted based on a questionnaire, and the data analysis was performed using partial least squares. The results indicate that intrinsic motivation and networking are the factors that positively affect the attitude towards knowledge sharing. Nevertheless, it is concluded that trust is the variable that more strongly affects the knowledge-sharing intention. Finally, the study identified that knowledge-sharing intention has a positive influence in collaborative behaviour. It is considered that this study can contribute to support institutions’ management in defining strategies and developing actions in order to promote an organisational culture based on knowledge management that significantly leads to knowledge-sharing and collaboration relationships.

The impact of knowledge management system on student performance

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the role of knowledge management system (KMS) on the performance of students in higher educational institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the extensive review of literature, the authors explored the factors of KMS to arrive at the conceptual model which was then validated using structural equation modeling. For the quantitative analysis, data were collected from undergraduate students using questionnaires distributed both through online and offline modes.

Findings

Empirical evidence supports the view that KMS have a direct and significant impact on the student performance (SP) in HEIs.

Research limitations/implications

The data are limited to 311 undergraduate students from the University of Delhi, India.

Practical implications

With the onset of national rankings framework like NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) and the attempt to achieve global recognition in THE (Times Higher Education), Quacquarelli Symonds and other world university rankings, the HEIs are trying hard to improve their performance comprehensively. In such a scenario, this paper provides insights into how HEIs can enhance performance of its students by harnessing KMS.

Originality/value

The current paper empirically validates the effect of KMS on the performance of students in an educational institution. While the impact of KMS on performance is measured empirically in corporations, such studies are scanty in academic centers. Moreover, while measuring the performance in HEIs using KM, the focus on ranking parameters has never been there. Such an orientation is essential as the rankings are getting wide acceptance from a global audience.

Knowledge management in higher education institutions in Mauritius

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research on knowledge management (KM) in higher education institutions (HEIs) by studying its processes, knowledge creation (KC), knowledge sharing (KS) and knowledge transfer (KT), in Mauritius.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior staff in the main public and private HEIs in Mauritius. Questions focussed on KM strategy and processes. Interviews were recorded and transcribed prior to thematic analysis.

Findings

Although participants could discuss KM processes, none of the participating institutions had a KM strategy. All institutions are involved in KC and acquisition, KS and KT. In addition to research, knowledge was regarded as being created through teaching and learning activities, consultancies, organisational documentation and acquisition from external sources. Knowledge is shared among peers during departmental and curriculum meetings, through annual research seminars and during conferences and publications in journals. KT with industry through consultancies is restricted to a few public HEIs. In the remaining HEIs, KT is limited to their students joining the workforce and to organising tailor-made courses and training programmes for public and private institutions. The study also provides evidence that some processes and activities contribute to more than one of KC, sharing and transfer.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the very limited body of research into KM processes in countries with developing higher education sectors. In addition, this research disaggregates the processes associated with KC, sharing and transfer, whilst also examining the relationship between them.

“Why not use it more?” Sources of self-efficacy in researchers’ use of social media for knowledge sharing

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the sources of self-efficacy that researchers rely on when using social media for knowledge sharing and to explore how these sources impact their use.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed 30 semi-structured interviews with researchers at a major Scottish university. The authors analysed the interview transcriptions using directed content analysis.

Findings

The researchers relied on the four sources of self-efficacy proposed by Bandura (1977) when using social media for knowledge sharing. These sources lead researchers to use social media effectively and frequently for sharing knowledge, although some may discourage its use.

Research limitations/implications

It extends the self-efficacy integrative theoretical framework of Bandura (1977) by presenting the relative amount of the influence of these sources for researchers to share their ideas, experiences, questions and research outputs on social media. While the participants included academic staff, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students, the majority were PhD students.

Practical implications

The findings can help universities understand how to promote productive use of social media. For example, academic staff who have high personal mastery experience could mentor those who do not.

Originality/value

This is the first known study to investigate the sources of self-efficacy that impact researchers’ use of social media for knowledge sharing.

Factors that enable knowledge creation in higher education: a structural model

Purpose

Knowledge is recognized as a valuable asset and universities are in search of a new strategy that allows them to build their knowledge and experience. To achieve this goal, it seems essential to find the factors associated with knowledge creation (KC) in universities. There is currently no comprehensive model that delineates the relationships between personal, institutional and support-related factors of KC. The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the factors that affect KC in higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an explanatory mixed methods approach that consists of qualitative and quantitative stages. In the qualitative phase, 14 authorities on KC were interviewed and the data yielded were subjected to content analysis. A model and hypotheses were then formulated and a questionnaire was developed to test these. The questionnaire was submitted to faculty members of Tehran University. Questionnaire data were was analyzed using structural equation and partial least squares with the aid of SmartPLS.

Findings

The results showed three main categories of KC factors: institutional, personal and support. A total of 19 sub-factors were identified within these main categories. According to the results, social capital (path coefficient=0.84) had the strongest correlation with the institutional; basic skills for KC (path coefficient=0.92) had the strongest correlation with the personal, and information and library resources (path coefficient=0.95) had the highest correlation with the support aspect of KC.

Originality/value

The study uses a multidimensional approach to test the effect of factors on KC, and can contribute to organizations (especially universities) through developing a more comprehensive model of KC. This research may lead to guidelines for universities, using Tehran University as a case study, which give more attention to the main factors of KC and improve and develop the KC process.

Knowledge sharing in higher education institutions: a systematic review

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help in providing a better understanding on knowledge sharing amongst academics in higher education institutions (HEIs). The aim of this study is realized by profiling existing literature to understand the determinants of knowledge sharing, research trends, theories, and future research opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

After carefully examining the extant literature and by utilizing relevant academic-based research databases, a total of 73 papers published in peer-reviewed journals over the last decade were reviewed and analyzed using well-established systematic literature review methodology.

Findings

The adopted systematic review revealed that there are limited contributions in understanding knowledge sharing in HEIs when compared with other sectors. The review provides a number of avenues for future research including technological, cultural, organizational, and behavioral aspects at different levels.

Practical implications

This study helps in offering a focal point to senior management in HEIs for realizing the requirements for developing appropriate strategies and programs to promote knowledge sharing among academics and consequently enhance their institutions’ performance.

Originality/value

This study utilized Jesson et al. (2011) in presenting a comprehensive systematic review of knowledge sharing specifically in the context of HEIs. This paper offers some theoretical and practical insights on what contributes toward understating the determinates affecting knowledge sharing practices among academics.

Knowledge Sharing Barriers in Vietnamese Higher Education Institutions (HEIS)

This article explores the barriers for sharing knowledge effectiveness in Vietnamese higher education institutions (HEIs). Data were analyzed and triangulated from interviews, and focus groups from different universities and from government and university websites. Three significant factors were identified: bureaucratic management causing a lack of autonomy in decision-making, poor knowledge management systems, and weak individual absorptive capacity. The results demonstrate these three factors as a significant influence on academic staff to share absorb and create new knowledge measured by journal publication output, and graduate quality. The research findings provide insights on the Vietnamese higher education landscape in the transition from a centralized economy to a market economy.

Using enterprise social networks as a knowledge management tool in higher education

Purpose

The management of organisational knowledge and the promotion of staff knowledge sharing are largely neglected in higher education institutions. The purpose of this study is to examine how enterprise social networks can enable staff knowledge sharing in communities of practice in that context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is framed as an Action Research project, covering three cycles over a 12-month period. During the Diagnosing phase, a conceptual model was developed for empirical testing. Data were collected through 30 semi-structured interviews and a number of focus groups. This was supplemented by content analysis and reflective journaling.

Findings

The findings support the conceptual model and provide insight into the antecedents necessary for the creation of an enterprise social network-enabled knowledge-sharing environment, the motivators for and barriers to participation, and the perceived organisational and individual benefits of increased staff knowledge-sharing activity.

Research limitations/implications

As the study has a higher education focus, all of the findings may not be generalizable to other types of organisation. Further development of the conceptual model and testing in other contextual settings will yield greater generalizability.

Practical implications

A number of findings have practical implications for the management of higher education institutions, such as the evidence of a divide between faculty and other staff. In general, the study findings provide an opportunity for educationalists to better understand the scope and impact of employing social media platforms for knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing body of work on organisational implementations of social media, and should be of interest to practitioners and researchers undertaking similar projects.

An investigation of factors affecting knowledge sharing amongst UK academics

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct and investigate relationships between knowledge-sharing factors, attitude and the intention to share of UK academics, as research on knowledge sharing in higher education is extremely sparse.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model and hypotheses were constructed from individual and organisational factors that were identified to affect knowledge sharing. Questionnaire data were obtained from 367 academics concerning their attitude and intention towards knowledge sharing. This was then used in a two-stage structural equation modelling approach where the measurement model was used for confirmatory factor analysis. The structural model was used to measure and test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

Findings indicate that, in general, individual beliefs amongst academics were more influential on their knowledge-sharing attitudes than organisational culture. Furthermore, leadership was the most influential factor within the overall organisational culture whereas autonomy demonstrated the weakest relationship. Belief in the possibility of rewards through associations was found to be a highly significant individual factor. The relationship between attitude and intention was relatively weak although still statistically significant.

Originality/value

The research demonstrates that management should ensure that departmental leaders promote knowledge sharing and that valued rewards are linked to sharing within the department.

The mediation role of intention in knowledge sharing behavior

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the mediation role of behavioral intention in the relationship between attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and knowledge sharing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a cross-sectional design to collect data used to carry out mediation analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to test for the mediation effect based on the theory of planned behavior.

Findings

The results reveal positive and significant relationships between attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention. There is a full mediation effect of behavioral intention between attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and knowledge sharing behavior. This implies that behavioral intention wholly processes planned behavior prediction.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was small, covering only two referral hospitals which affects the generalization of findings across all the hospitals in Uganda. The study was cross-sectional focusing on a one-off perception, which does not examine knowledge sharing behavior over time. This may necessitate follow-up studies in a longitudinal design to capture the trend of results.

Practical implications

Managers in referral hospitals should create opportunities for health professionals to enhance knowledge sharing behavior. Knowledge sharing practices should be embedded in the performance appraisal and reward systems which should promote positive knowledge sharing attitudes and norms and develop self-efficacy.

Originality/value

The study generates empirical evidence on less studied phenomena in the health sector focusing on behavioral intention mediation in predicting knowledge sharing behavior.

Effects of workplace spirituality and trust mediated by perceived risk towards knowledge sharing behaviour

Purpose

This research paper aims to provide an empirical examination to explain the relationship between trust, workplace spirituality, perceived risk and knowledge sharing behaviour among the non-academic staff of private higher learning institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology was adopted to examine the proposed relationship between trust, workplace spirituality, perceived risk and knowledge sharing behaviour. The study used survey data from 240 non-academic staff of private higher learning institutions in Malaysia. This research applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to test the stated hypotheses of the proposed conceptual framework.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that workplace spirituality has a significant positive influence on knowledge sharing behaviour, whereas trust is found to have a positive effect, mediated by perceived risk, on the knowledge sharing behaviour among the non-academic staff of private higher learning institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to private higher learning institutions in Malaysia, and used a cross-sectional research design. Further investigations into the moderating effect of socio-demographic variables are necessary.

Practical implications

The results of this survey provide constructive information towards understanding the extent of knowledge sharing predictors at the individual and non-academic staff levels in the context of private higher learning institutions in Malaysia. Thus, this empirical study serves as a baseline research for this unexplored scope as it provides new information in this field.

Originality/value

Previous studies have not tested the function of trust and workplace spirituality from the perspective of non-academic staff employed in private higher learning institutions.

Knowledge sharing among teachers: the role of the Big Five Personality traits

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of personality traits on knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour among teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study employed a survey research. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample of 300 respondents out of which 247 was used in the final analysis. Data was analysed using hierarchical regression.

Findings

– The results indicate that the Big Five Personality traits have effects on knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour of teachers. With the exception of conscientiousness trait, all the traits used in this study cause a significant change in the variations of the knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour of the teachers.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation of the study is the use of the convenient sampling technique in choosing the subject; however, this was because there was no sampling frame, making it difficult to use probability-sampling technique.

Originality value

– This study contributes to the growing literature on the relationships among personality traits and knowledge sharing attitude and behaviour.

Assessing Knowledge Sharing Among Academics: A Validation of the Knowledge Sharing Behavior Scale (KSBS)

BACKGROUND

There is a belief that academics tend to hold on tightly to their knowledge and intellectual resources. However, not much effort has been put into the creation of a valid and reliable instrument to measure knowledge sharing behavior among the academics.

OBJECTIVES

To apply and validate the Knowledge Sharing Behavior Scale (KSBS) as a measure of knowledge sharing behavior within the academic community.

SUBJECTS

Respondents (N = 447) were academics from arts and science streams in 10 local, public universities in Malaysia.

MEASURES

Data were collected using the 28-item KSBS that assessed four dimensions of knowledge sharing behavior namely written contributions, organizational communications, personal interactions, and communities of practice.

RESULTS

The exploratory factor analysis showed that the items loaded on the dimension constructs that they were supposed to represent, thus proving construct validity. A within-factor analysis revealed that each set of items representing their intended dimension loaded on only one construct, therefore establishing convergent validity. All four dimensions were not perfectly correlated with each other or organizational citizenship behavior, thereby proving discriminant validity. However, all four dimensions correlated with organizational commitment, thus confirming predictive validity. Furthermore, all four factors correlated with both tacit and explicit sharing, which confirmed their concurrent validity. All measures also possessed sufficient reliability (α > .70).

CONCLUSION

The KSBS is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to formally assess the types of knowledge artifacts residing among academics and the degree of knowledge sharing in relation to those artifacts.

Understanding the Knowledge Sharing Barriers in Organisation: A Fuzzy AHP Approach

The need for successful knowledge sharing is critical for knowledge management (KM). The objective of this study is to identify and measure the perceived importance of knowledge sharing barriers (KSBs) in organisation. These KSBs have been categorised into the six different levels namely strategic, organisational, financial, technological, individual and social-cultural. A fuzzy AHP approach has been used for rankings of these KSBs in organisation. The expert interview was conducted to identify perceptions of the most significant KSBs. This research is an attempt to identify the KSBs that significantly affect knowledge sharing in organisations so that management may effectively deal with these KSBs. The findings of this research can be used for developing an evidence based ranking of KSBs in organisation.