Factors Affecting the Utilization of Knowledge acquired by Researchers from Scientific Social Networks: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The spread of specialized social networking websites for researchers (like Researchgate or Academia.edu) offers new opportunities to create and support interactions within epistemic communities. Scientific social networks are expected to change the ways of working of researchers as well as their performance. It is important to understand what factors influence the knowledge sharing and utilization behavior of researchers using scientific social networks. There is a dearth of studies focusing on scientific social networks. In this study, the factors influencing researchers' knowledge utilization behavior are investigated. A questionnaire has been distributed to members of the scientific social network Research Gate. Data was analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. The results show that four main factors (interpersonal trust, self-efficacy, expected advantage, and knowledge collecting behavior) influence the knowledge utilization behavior of researchers using scientific social networks. Implication for research and management are also discussed.