Abstract
The aim of this research is to study motivations that drive knowledge sharing in free software communities as explained by Social Exchange Theory. A survey method was adopted in which a questionnaire was administrated during a free software event, answered by members of free software communities. Structural Equation Modelling was used in the data analysis. From a social exchange view, trust, feedback, altruism, status, self-efficacy and reciprocity motivate knowledge sharing in free software communities and some have an indirect influence on knowledge collection and knowledge donation processes. Altruism is the only motivation that directly influences knowledge sharing. Reciprocity is directly linked to knowledge collection and self-efficacy and status are directly linked to knowledge donation. Status is directly and negatively related to knowledge donation. Influence of knowledge collection on knowledge donation was supported. The main contribution is showing the existence of relationships between motivations driving knowledge sharing in free software communities as explained by Social Exchange Theory, instead of investigating a direct relationship between each motivation and knowledge sharing. The findings of this research are useful for leaders of communities who can use them to leverage knowledge sharing.
Highlights
Social Exchange Theory (SET) suggests that a social behaviour is the result of an exchange process
Self-efficacy positively influences knowledge donation, which means that if the community member feels that his knowledge is accurate, he will contribute, but, on the other hand, if he feels that he lacks useful knowledge, he may refuse to contribute because he believes his contribution will not have a positive impact (Kankanhalli et al, 2005)
This research tested the relationship between a set of constructs and the two knowledge-sharing processes, knowledge collection and knowledge donation, and found that only a few of those constructs to be directly related to those processes
Summary
Social Exchange Theory (SET) suggests that a social behaviour is the result of an exchange process. Exchange efficiency can be achieved through knowledge sharing (Wang, 2013), which is a kind of exchange behaviour (Cyr & Choo, 2010; Huang, Davison, & Gu, 2008; Lin, 2014). Knowledge sharing (KS) is defined as the transfer of knowledge from one party to another Knowledge sharing is the precursor to collaborative success in teams, groups and networks, especially in the post-industrial digital economy (Tiwana & Bush, 2001). Communities of practice are a means of leveraging knowledge sharing (Hartung & Oliveira, 2013). They consist of groups of people that gather to share knowledge about common passions and expertise (Wenger & Snyder, 2000)
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