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How academic leaders facilitate knowledge sharing: a case of universities in Hong Kong

Man Fung Lo (Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong)
Feng Tian (Faculty of Business and Law, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia)

Leadership & Organization Development Journal

ISSN: 0143-7739

Article publication date: 26 June 2020

Issue publication date: 18 July 2020

821

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the factors of two sub-processes – knowledge donating and knowledge collecting – of knowledge sharing in Hong Kong higher education context. This study examines the individual factors, organizational factors and technology factor of knowledge sharing. Individual factors include enjoyment in helping others and knowledge self-efficacy while organizational factors refer to the top management support, organizational rewards and organizational culture. The use of technology system is proposed to be the technology factor.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review, this study develops a structural model representing the impact of six latent variables on knowledge donating and knowledge collecting processes Data from a questionnaire survey of 166 respondents from academics from Hong Kong higher education sector was used to analyze the model. PLS-SEM was adopted in this study.

Findings

The result of the data analysis suggests enjoyment in helping others has a positive impact on both knowledge donating and knowledge collecting. For organizational factors, a trust and collaborative culture enhance both the sub-processes. The technology factor only contributes to the knowledge donating process. Several practical implications are provided to high education leaders, for instance, by establishing a trust and collaborative environment, academics are more eager to donate and collect knowledge.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights for researchers to further understand how individual, organizational and technology factors affect two sub-processes of knowledge sharing. On the practical side, this study validated several critical factors to successful knowledge donation and knowledge collection.

Keywords

Citation

Lo, M.F. and Tian, F. (2020), "How academic leaders facilitate knowledge sharing: a case of universities in Hong Kong", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 41 No. 6, pp. 777-798. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-11-2019-0481

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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