RELATIONSHIP OF BEHAVIOURAL INTENTIONS WITH ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

The current study investigated attitudinal components that potentially impact the Knowledge Transfer Behaviour (KTB) of academics. It focused specifically on the role of behavioural intentions in the academic research process, and the resulting knowledge productivity, utilising a large sample of academics from a Malaysian Public University. The study contributes theoretically and empirically by demonstrating the relationships of the variables comprising the Theory of Planned Behaviour (i.e. attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intentions) on performance outcomes related to Knowledge Transfer Behaviour. The study also has practical significance based on its implications for university faculty members, providing suggestions for better understanding of how they might increase their success at Knowledge Transfer activities. This study adopts a quantitative method, using online questionnaires as the instruments for data collection. The on-line survey was administered by emailing potential respondents a link. Volunteer respondents were academics from Malaysia Public University ( N =985). Path analysis was conducted to test the research hypotheses, using a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach. The results revealed that behavioural intentions significantly predicted KTB, and Attitude and PBC significantly predicted Behavioural Intentions. Unexpectedly, Subjective Norms did not predict behavioural intentions for Knowledge Transfer Behaviour (KTB) of academics. When further modifications were made to the model, Knowledge Transfer behaviour was predominantly uniquely explained by perceived behavioural control. Further recommendations were made for this study by adding other theories such as concept of the Triple Helix by looking upon university, industry and government relationships for expanding further research. Moreover , shedding light on the findings of this study could add valuable information to other researchers and thus contributes theoretically and empirically in Theory of Planned Behaviour literature.