Cracking the code: The influence of personality traits on knowledge management culture and sharing behavior

Abstract

This research endeavors to ascertain the extent to which a knowledge-centered culture fosters the propensity for knowledge sharing within private universities. Furthermore, it seeks to discern the specific facets of the Big Five Personality Traits model that wield a moderating influence on the intricate nexus between knowledge-centered culture and the inclination to share knowledge. The methodology entailed the judicious application of stratified proportionate random sampling to solicit data, with academic staff from private universities constituting the respondent pool. The acquisition of research data transpired through the administration of a self-conducted questionnaire. The outcomes of this investigation unveil a positive correlation between a knowledge-centered culture and the propensity for knowledge sharing—a pivotal finding with far-reaching implications. Moreover, the findings illuminate that individuals exhibiting higher levels of extraversion and conscientiousness play a constructive moderating role in the interplay between knowledge-centered culture and knowledge-sharing behavior. Conversely, those with elevated scores in openness tend to exert a counterproductive moderating influence on this relationship. Intriguingly, the research also establishes that personality traits like agreeableness and neuroticism do not wield significant influence, as they fail to confer any notable moderating effect within the context of the correlation between knowledge-centered culture and knowledge-sharing behavior. The implications of this study are manifold and extend to the realm of academic leadership, offering a nuanced framework to devise policies and strategies that bolster knowledge sharing among academicians by fostering a nurturing knowledge culture. The findings also hold salience for upper echelons of private sector universities, especially within developing nations, and for policymakers seeking to sculpt and enact efficacious policies conducive to augmenting knowledge-sharing behavior. This, in turn, is anticipated to catalyze heightened work performance and operational efficiency.