Abstract
This paper underscores the need for knowledge sharing practices as an enabler for enhancing academic and research activities in Higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite the various HEIs availing support driven digital infrastructure to open and free access of information (digital resources) to academic and research community, the uptake and adoption of knowledge sharing practices is not evident enough to measure up the initiatives. Lecturers, researchers and scholars in HEIs need to embrace knowledge sharing in pursuit of innovation, recognition and competiveness. The paper therefore highlights the benefits of knowledge sharing as well as obstacles it faces. This paper applied content analysis in terms of review of both print and electronic resources as methodology based on identified objectives. The review found out that knowledge sharing is key to innovation but has not been fully embraced by the intended community as should. The paper suggests a number of ways in which knowledge sharing can be effected in HEIs. Major recommendations included aggressive sensitization on benefits of sharing knowledge and incentives not only to the targeted but also to stakeholders. The study also recommends a dedicated office for research coordination, collaboration, networking and visibility purposes. The paper proposes future research into investigating institutionalization and integration of knowledge sharing and possible approaches that would encourage voluntary knowledge generation and intra-sharing amongst academics in HEIs. Keywords : knowledge management, knowledge sharing, higher education institutions, academics, lecturers, researchers, scholars. DOI : 10.7176/IKM/9-3-09 Publication date :March 31 st 2019
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundHigher education institutions are driven by globalization (OECD 2009)
We argue that knowledge sharing spurs innovation, competitiveness, economic growth and key to global positioning of Higher education institutions through partnerships, networking, visibility and stakeholders’ engagement
Knowledge Sharing depends on the culture and willingness of the knowledge worker to seek out and be receptive to these organization’s knowledge sources
Summary
Higher education institutions are driven by globalization (OECD 2009). higher education trains skilled workers and contributes to the research base and capacity for innovation that determine competitiveness in the knowledge-based global economy while facilitating international collaboration and cross-cultural exchange (OECD, (2009). the cross-border flow of ideas, students, faculty and financing, coupled with developments in information and communication technology, are changing the environment where higher education institutions function’ (OECD, 2009; Okioga et al 2014). Higher education trains skilled workers and contributes to the research base and capacity for innovation that determine competitiveness in the knowledge-based global economy while facilitating international collaboration and cross-cultural exchange (OECD, (2009). The positive role of the higher education sector in building knowledge-based economies is strongly promoted by international organizations such as the World Bank, because investment in quality training and higher education generates major external benefits that are critical for knowledge-driven economic and social development (Ramady, 2010). Examples of Kenyan studies on knowledge sharing such as from indigenous knowledge perspective whereby it is shared with appropriate platforms (Njiraine et al, 2012, Chepchirchir et al, 2015, Kwanya, 2015), informal sector, commonly referred to as juakali on its competitiveness and sustainability (Wangare, 2015), as a support for effective service delivery in government (Ondari-Okemwa & Gretchen 2009) and for competitive advantage in hospitality industry Back in 2000, Rowley posed the question ‘is higher education ready for knowledge management?’ in other words since knowledge sharing is a crucial component of knowledge management, wouldn’t it be justified to question “is higher education ready for knowledge sharing?”
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