Knowledge sharing through inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems
VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems
ISSN: 2059-5891
Article publication date: 13 February 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems (IOKSS) are crucial for scientific, social and economic development especially in knowledge-intensive sectors. Knowledge sharing processes and systems will not only be challenged by individual and organizational factors but also by social, technical and political inter-organizational factors. This paper aims to investigate the impact of knowledge worker, peer, IOKSS, organization and sector factors on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Knowledge workers are the key stakeholders that enable the survival of IOKSS.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected, through a questionnaire, from knowledge workers in the education and the health sectors.
Findings
This study found that the human factors (related to knowledge workers and their peers) have significant direct impact on intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Other factors, such as IOKSS system, organization and sector factors showed indirect impacts on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Such investigation can be very valuable for developing countries as technological innovations such as IOKSS can be crucial for training and building human resources, and national knowledge management.
Originality/value
Little is empirically known about the enablers of sharing knowledge in systems that connect organizations in horizontal linkage in a specific sector or industry. The study also adds value to under investigated region.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to greatly thank participating organizations in the health and education sectors and their knowledge workers (medical doctors and school teachers).
Citation
Al-Busaidi, K.A. and Olfman, L. (2017), "Knowledge sharing through inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. 47 No. 1, pp. 110-136. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-05-2016-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited