Hey student, are you sharing your knowledge? A cluster typology of knowledge sharing behaviours among students

Abstract

Knowledge Sharing (KS) is crucial for all organisations to better face current and future challenges. It is justifiable to assume that after graduation, students will have to face the coming challenges at societal and business levels, and that they will need the adequate KS skills to do so. Though the importance of KS is established, the understanding of how students pass on their knowledge is still fragmented and underdeveloped. Therefore, a deeper understanding of students’ KS behaviour is crucial to identify and promote better actions. As different patterns of behaviour are very probable among students, this study aims to identify patterns that can be used to group students according to their KS behaviour. Drawing from a dataset of 124 Business and Management students, this paper empirically conceptualises a typology of KS behaviours among this group. The typology consists of three different types of student groups that emerged from a cluster analysis: new entrants with neutral KS behaviour, undergraduate students with strong KS behaviour facilitated by social ties, and mature students who share knowledge based on the perceived self-concept. By acknowledging the heterogeneity found among Business and Management students, this paper departs from viewing students as a homogeneous group.