Investigating Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing Intentions among Islamic Banking Employees: A TRA Perspective

Muhammad Waqar ,Muhammad Ahsan Ul Haq ,Muhammad Usman

doi:10.26501/jibm/2018.0802-013

Abstract

This study investigates knowledge sharing in Islamic banks. Fishbein’s Theory of reasoned action (TRA) has been used as a theoretical framework. Close ended questionnaire was used to gather data from employees of Islamic banks. This study examined the effect of independent variables i.e. anticipated extrinsic rewards (AER), sense of self-worth (SSW), and organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) and anticipated reciprocal relationship (ARR) on variables i.e. knowledge share intention (IKS), knowledge sharing attitude (ATKS). The objective was to find out the strongest predictor. Structural equations modeling (SEM) has been applied to examine the hypothesized relations. Analysis shows strong association between IKS and ATKS. Hypotheses relating SSW and OBSE were endorsed. While ARR and AER did not influence knowledge sharing attitude, yet the OBSE was found to have strongest impact on knowledge sharing attitude. In the light of results, it is suggested that Islamic banks should focus on other ways to encourage knowledge sharing rather than investing in reward systems. They should also focus on relationship improvement and also ensure support to employees by means of carrier planning and job security.

Highlights

The significance of Knowledge Sharing (KS) has been widely recognized by several researchers (e.g., Alavi & Leidner, 2001; Berman, Down, & Hill, 2002; Bock, Zmud, Kim, & Lee, 2005; and Irma, 2001)
As argued in Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), beliefs make attitude, so those Islamic bank employees who believe that KS could be beneficial in the future for making better relationships are likely to share knowledge and have positive attitude towards sharing
The proposed model was improved by adding covariance between error terms using Modification Indices (MI), as recommended by Hair, Anderson, Babin, and Black (2010)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The significance of KS has been widely recognized by several researchers (e.g., Alavi & Leidner, 2001; Berman, Down, & Hill, 2002; Bock, Zmud, Kim, & Lee, 2005; and Irma, 2001). As argued in TRA, beliefs make attitude, so those Islamic bank employees who believe that KS could be beneficial in the future for making better relationships are likely to share knowledge and have positive attitude towards sharing. TRA and above discussion conclude that beliefs are key factors for developing attitude and Islamic banking employees who are of the belief that they can contribute in organizational growth by sharing knowledge when they have positive ATKS. It was found that self-esteem predicts employee’s attitude and behavior (Brockner, 1988; Judge & Bono, 2001; Korman, 1970; Pierce & Gardner, 2004) They found that employees who have high level of OBSE might probably share knowledge with other employees because they are of believe that they support their organization through KS. It is hypothesized that: H5: OBSE positively affects ATKS among employees of Islamic banks

METHODOLOGY

RESULTS

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Limitations and Future