Big Five Personality Traits and Knowledge Sharing Intentions of Academic Librarians

Abstract

PurposeKnowledge sharing among individuals is very crucial for greater creativity and enhancing performance in knowledge-based organizations. The present study investigates the association of Big Five personality traits and the knowledge sharing intentions of university librarians in Pakistan. MethodologyBased on quantitative design, this study employs survey research method. The Big Five personality inventory designed by John and Srivastava (1999) was adopted, while measurement items related to knowledge sharing intentions were developed with the help of the existing literature. The population of the study comprised library and information science professionals working in the university libraries of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). A census sampling method was used for collecting data and 103 dully filled questionnaires were received. FindingsThe results indicated that agreeableness and openness to experience positively while neuroticism negatively influenced the university librarian’s knowledge sharing intentions. However, conscientiousness and extraversion personality traits were found to be insignificant predictors of the same. OriginalityThis study is first of its nature which highlights the significant personality features contributing towards KS intentions in academic libraries from a developing country’s perspective.