Predicting knowledge sharing by professional architects in architectural firms in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the factors predicting knowledge sharing among architects in architectural firms in Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria. The study provided insight into the validity of social exchange theory, social capital theory and technological factors for studying and explaining knowledge sharing among professional architects in architectural firms. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A field survey of 104 architects was carried out using a questionnaire for data collection. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the respondents for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Findings revealed that significant predictors of knowledge sharing were enjoyment in helping others, social interaction, social identification, shared language/vision and loss of knowledge power. The level of information and communication technology (ICT) usage was also found to significantly predict knowledge sharing among architects. However, the results indicated that organisational rewards and trust do not significantly predict knowledge sharing among architects. The results also showed that loss of knowledge power negatively affected knowledge sharing, suggesting a tendency to hoard knowledge. Based on these research findings, recommendations were therefore made.