Search results
1 – 10 of over 62000Hafizah Abd-Mutalib, Che Zuriana Muhammad Jamil, Rapiah Mohamed and Siti Norfatin Afiqah Ismail
This study aims to explore the determinants of environmental knowledge sharing behaviour among accounting educators through the lens of an extended theory of planned behaviour…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the determinants of environmental knowledge sharing behaviour among accounting educators through the lens of an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB).
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 95 accounting educators responded to a questionnaire survey. The data comprising information on attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, possession of environmental knowledge and locus of control, as exogenous latent variables and intention to share and environmental knowledge sharing behaviour as endogenous latent variables, were analysed using the SmartPLS modelling technique. Besides the survey, interviews were conducted for triangulation purpose.
Findings
Except for subjective norm, all hypotheses are supported. The findings from the interviews reveal that environmental knowledge sharing activities have put educators in a peculiar position in terms of sharing environmental knowledge, as carrying out environmental activities has not been taken seriously and also seen as not the norm among the faculty members.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on accounting educators from five Malaysian public universities and deepens the understanding of their behaviour in sharing their environmental knowledge.
Practical implications
This study provides findings that can be useful for higher education institutions to strategize themselves in delivering environmental sustainability awareness in campus, which may enhance their efforts towards achieving sustainable development.
Social implications
This study provides findings that there is a need to inculcate environmental knowledge sharing among educators. Such knowledge sharing may generate good environmental norms, which may result in better environmental awareness.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the main determinants of accounting educators’ environmental knowledge sharing behaviour and extending the TPB by considering two additional variables.
Details
Keywords
Fadi Abdel Muniem Abdel Fattah, Abdul Hakim H.M Mohamed, Mohamed Izzeldin A. Bashir and Abrar Mohammed Mubarak Al Alawi
This paper aims to investigate how students’ attitude (SA), students’ subjective norms (SN), students’ knowledge sharing intentions (KSI) can contribute to the enhancement of…
Abstract
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.
Details
Keywords
Bart van den Hooff, Alexander P. Schouten and Stojan Simonovski
This paper aims to provide theoretical and empirical insight into the relationship between emotions and knowledge sharing.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide theoretical and empirical insight into the relationship between emotions and knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
Hypotheses concerning the influence of pride and empathy on knowledge sharing attitudes and intentions are developed, based on prior research. The hypotheses were tested by means of a survey within the Dutch branch of a global IT organization, in which respondents (n=252) were asked to evaluate one of four different scenarios, invoking either pride or empathy. Respondents were asked their attitude and intention towards knowledge sharing in the situation sketched in the scenario.
Findings
Pride and empathy were found to affect eagerness and willingness to share knowledge. Furthermore, these emotions also influenced knowledge sharing intentions, partly mediated by eagerness and willingness. Both eagerness and willingness mediate the relationship between pride and knowledge sharing intention, whereas only willingness turned out to mediate the relationship between empathy and knowledge sharing.
Research limitations/implications
An important limitation is that the scenarios which were used were hypothetical. A suggestion for further research is to conduct a lab experiment (for instance, using a role play situation) in which emotions are manipulated in an interactive setting.
Originality/value
Emotions have not been related to knowledge sharing in a systematic way before. By connecting these two areas of research, this study provides new interdisciplinary insights.
Details
Keywords
Gian Casimir, Yong Ngee Keith Ng and Chai Liou Paul Cheng
The major objective of this paper is to examine whether or not information technology (IT) usage to share knowledge is a mediator or moderator of the intention behaviour…
Abstract
Purpose
The major objective of this paper is to examine whether or not information technology (IT) usage to share knowledge is a mediator or moderator of the intention behaviour relationship proposed in the theory of reasoned action (TRA).
Design/methodology/approach
A letter of invitation to participate in the study was sent to all of the public‐listed companies in Malaysia. A total of 483 full‐time employees from 23 organizations completed an anonymous, self‐administered survey in a cross‐sectional design. Partial least squares analysis was used to test the conceptual model.
Findings
The major finding is that the relationship between the intention to share knowledge and knowledge sharing is partly mediated and not moderated by IT usage to share knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
Knowledge sharing was considered only at the individual level. The data are self‐reported, cross‐sectional, from a single source and a single method. The relational and capability‐membership perspective leads to a positive attitude towards knowledge sharing whereas the instrumental perspective leads to a negative attitude. The findings augment the TRA by showing there is a mediator of the intention‐behaviour relationship in the context of knowledge sharing.
Practical implications
The findings indicate that organizations need to ascertain employees' preferred methods for sharing knowledge, provide appropriate IT for knowledge sharing, establish online communities for knowledge sharing, publicly acknowledge members for sharing knowledge, and avoid relying on extrinsic tangible rewards to foster knowledge sharing.
Originality/value
Previous research has shown that using IT to share knowledge does not moderate the intention‐behaviour relationship in the TRA. An alternative conceptualisation of the role of using IT to share knowledge in the intention‐behaviour relationship is provided.
Details
Keywords
Nurliza Mohammed Fathi, Uchenna Cyril Eze and Gerald Guan Gan Goh
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that affect knowledge‐sharing attitudes in Malaysia, with emphasis on a manufacturing firm and how this attitude influences…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that affect knowledge‐sharing attitudes in Malaysia, with emphasis on a manufacturing firm and how this attitude influences their intention to share knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a survey research conducted within a manufacturing firm. The questionnaire was developed by adapting items and concepts from prior works, and by developing a new variable, kiasuism. A census sampling method was used to select participants for this research. The data derive from a case analysis in a manufacturing company in Malaysia. The analysis was based on 141 valid responses.
Findings
The findings indicate that collectivism, social network, social trust, shared goal, incentive systems, kiasuism and self‐efficacy emerged significant except for individualism. A unique finding is that kiasuism emerged as proposed, which suggest that future works could focus more on this variable to highlight its impact in a firm's ability to share knowledge. Overall, the data support our framework and indicate that knowledge sharing among employees in Malaysia's private companies is gaining grounds.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this research include the case study approach adopted, which does not allow the generalization of the results beyond that of the firm being studied. The implications emanating from this research is that the ability of a firm, especially electronic manufacturing firms, to harness internal resources and capabilities to enhance knowledge sharing among employees, would be critical for the firm to maintain a competitive position in the marketplace.
Originality/value
This paper provides specific backgrounds of the key factors that could affect the effective implementation of knowledge‐sharing initiatives in a firm, particularly those in the manufacturing sector. The findings suggest key implications for practice and research involved in knowledge‐sharing activities in their firms and related initiatives.
Details
Keywords
Yong Wu and Weidong Zhu
Knowledge sharing has been recognized as a positive force for the survival of an organization but the factors that promote or discourage knowledge sharing behaviors in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge sharing has been recognized as a positive force for the survival of an organization but the factors that promote or discourage knowledge sharing behaviors in the organizational context are poorly understood. The purpose of this paper is to enhance our collective understanding of the factors affecting knowledge sharing behaviors of knowledge workers in the organizational context.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from multiple streams of research including social psychology, organizational learning, knowledge management, information systems and so forth, this research developed an integrated theoretical model. The Theory of Planned Behavior model, motivation theory, social exchange theory, economic exchange theory and self determination theory were employed here. In total, 180 responses from ten companies in China were collected.
Findings
The theoretical model was validated within the context of a single empirical study. The findings provided significant statistical support for the research model, accounting for about 60 percent of the variance in the behavioral intention to share knowledge and 41 percent variance in the actual knowledge sharing behavior. In total, 11 of the 12 hypothesized relationships were supported.
Originality/value
This exploratory research attempted to fill the void in the integrative research by investigating the most crucial factors that influence the knowledge sharing behaviors of knowledge workers.
Details
Keywords
Javaria Javaid, Saira Soroya and Khalid Mahmood
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…
Abstract
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.
Details
Keywords
Bojan Obrenovic, Jianguo Du, Danijela Godinić and Diana Tsoy
This study aims to examine psychological mechanisms underlying tacit knowledge-sharing behaviours. The personality trait of conscientiousness is tested in relation to knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine psychological mechanisms underlying tacit knowledge-sharing behaviours. The personality trait of conscientiousness is tested in relation to knowledge sharing, and the effect of eagerness and subjective norm on the intention to share is measured in the context of local and multinational knowledge-intensive enterprises in Croatia.
Design/methodology/approach
The quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 288 employees of small and medium-sized companies working on knowledge-intensive tasks. The purposive sampling technique and a survey strategy were used in the study. Organizational affiliation, as it was presumed that these individuals possess a higher degree of tacit knowledge. The data collection was conducted in October 2019. Respondents worked in science and technology companies in Croatia on assignments involving information technology, electronics, petrochemicals, medicine and biochemistry. Statistical product and service solutions analysis of a moment structures software was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings suggest that the personality trait of conscientiousness has a positive impact on tacit knowledge sharing behaviour. An attitude of eagerness and subjective norm were also confirmed as predictors of tacit knowledge sharing behaviour. Furthermore, conscientiousness influences the eagerness to share knowledge. A significant association between subjective norm and conscientiousness was also established. Finally, the mediating effects were identified, indicating that subjective norm and eagerness mediate the relationship between conscientiousness and tacit knowledge sharing.
Practical implications
Explaining the relationship between personality and attitude in the context of knowledge sharing will result in a better understanding of factors that should be nurtured within individuals. Accordingly, distinct management initiatives are to be developed to suit these factors. Furthermore, to intensify the knowledge exchange when working on knowledge-intensive tasks of significant economic value, organizations tailor a more particularistic application to suit the individual in the domain of leadership, staffing decisions, work organization and incentive systems.
Originality/value
This study provides an in-depth analysis and theoretical understanding of factors salient for knowledge-sharing behaviour. The authors provide an overview of how knowledge sharing evolves during social interaction through intensive problem-solving sessions and teamwork. The authors render the explanation on how the personality trait of conscientiousness, conjoint with the attitude of eagerness to share know-how in the expert surrounding, is conducive to the generation of tacit knowledge sharing. Underpinning this study are employees’ psychological motives and internal drives to communicate individual cognitive capital outweighing the potential negative consequences, such as losing the competitive advantage over the colleagues.
Details
Keywords
Uchenna Cyril Eze, Gerald Guan Gan Goh, Choon Yih Goh and Tiong Ling Tan
The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors (trust, formalization, knowledge technology, empowering leadership, effective reward systems and motivation) that influence…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors (trust, formalization, knowledge technology, empowering leadership, effective reward systems and motivation) that influence knowledge sharing among the small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, in order to meet the challenges of today's dynamic business environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Systematic sampling was used to select 680 manufacturing sector participants from the SME Corporation Malaysia business directory to participate in the survey, out of which 250 valid responses were returned, yielding a response rate of 36.75 percent. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted before testing the seven hypotheses formulated for this study using regression analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that knowledge technology, motivation, effective reward systems, trust and empowering leadership explain up to 60.2 percent of the variance observed in attitude towards knowledge sharing. It was also found that attitude towards knowledge sharing influences intention to share knowledge with an R2 of 0.387.
Research limitations/implications
The sample for this study is based on manufacturing sector SMEs only and it is suggested that future studies enlarge the scope to include the SMEs in the service sector.
Practical implications
In order to encourage knowledge sharing within SMEs, firms need to ensure that both the technical (knowledge technology) and social (motivation, effective reward systems, trust and empowering leadership) elements are addressed. Hence, a socio‐technical approach needs to be adopted to ensure the effectiveness of the knowledge management strategies formulated by SMEs.
Originality/value
This study highlights the importance of six factors in encouraging knowledge sharing intentions in SMEs operating within the manufacturing sector and confirms that knowledge technology, which encompasses a range of information and communication technologies does play a pivotal role vis‐à‐vis ensuring that SMEs have favorable attitudes towards knowledge sharing for their sustained competitive advantage.
Details
Keywords
Kenneth Husted, Snejina Michailova, Dana B. Minbaeva and Torben Pedersen
This paper aims at further developing and empirically examining the concept of knowledge‐sharing hostility. It seeks to analyze reasons for hoarding knowledge, reasons for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at further developing and empirically examining the concept of knowledge‐sharing hostility. It seeks to analyze reasons for hoarding knowledge, reasons for rejecting external knowledge, and attitudes towards mistakes, as well as the influence of these factors on actual knowledge‐sharing behavior. The paper aims to examine how two specific knowledge‐governance mechanisms – commitment‐based and transaction‐based mechanisms – affect knowledge sharing
Design/methodology/approach
The authors test the hypotheses on a sample of 1,639 respondents in 15 organizations in Denmark.
Findings
The authors find that the use of transaction‐based mechanisms promotes knowledge‐sharing hostility by strengthening individuals' reasons for hoarding and rejecting knowledge, and by negatively affecting individuals' attitudes towards sharing knowledge about mistakes. In contrast, the use of commitment‐based mechanisms diminishes knowledge‐sharing hostility among individuals.
Originality/value
The contribution of the paper is two‐fold. First, it responds to the clear need to examine individual characteristics related to withholding knowledge in organizations. Second, by delineating specific organizational governance mechanisms that are critical for dealing with knowledge‐sharing hostility, the research responds to the call for research aimed at explaining and detailing problems that lie in the intersection of organization and knowledge processes.
Details