Motivation Factors Toward Knowledge Sharing Intentions and Attitudes

Abstract

Employees’ knowledge is a fundamental and valuable resource for the organization, and if it is used and shared properly among employees, the organization will gain a competitive edge. However, knowledge sharing does not occur definitely; instead, it is an individual choice that cannot be compulsory. This research tackles a critical issue, which is motivating employees toward knowledge sharing. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the antecedents of motivation, which consists of (organizational commitment, environmental dynamism, reward, and job-related factors), to determine and explain the knowledge sharing intentions and attitudes. This will be along with examining organizational climate effect on the intentions of knowledge sharing. A total of 283 questionnaires were submitted to Arab Open University employees, and 221 valid questionnaires were considered in this study. The findings revealed that organizational commitment and intrinsic reward have a significant influence on intrinsic motivation. Moreover, it was found that extrinsic reward has a positive impact on extrinsic motivation. In addition, the findings revealed that extrinsic motivation has a positive influence on knowledge sharing intentions and attitudes, however, intrinsic motivation has a positive impact only on attitudes toward knowledge sharing. Also, attitudes toward knowledge sharing positively and highly influence knowledge sharing intentions.