Knowledge Sharing Practices Research Articles

Factors predicting knowledge sharing behavior of academic staff

The main objective of this paper is to identify the factors that influence academic staff's knowledge-sharing intentions and behaviors in Ethiopian higher education. A structural equation model was used to validate the research framework using survey data from 256 respondents. The collected data has been analyzed using Smart PLS software. The result indicates that the factors that affect knowledge-sharing intention include social interaction, reciprocity, management support, reward systems, and reputation. Systems integrated into teaching-learning practice, availability of information technology infrastructure, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness are among the technological factors affecting the intention to use web technology for knowledge sharing toward knowledge-sharing behavior. It has also been concluded that management support had the greatest influence, but the reward system did not affect the knowledge-sharing intention. On the other hand, the availability of IT infrastructure has the largest effect on the intention to use web technology, while perceived ease of use has the least. The contributions of this study are twofold. The framework may serve as a roadmap for future researchers and managers considering their strategy to enhance knowledge sharing in HEI. The findings will benefit academic staff, university administrations, and higher education institutions. This study gives managers a solid foundation to promote and support academic staff's usage of web technology for knowledge sharing. The study will also help academic staff enhance their current knowledge-sharing practices.

CAN REFLECTION ENABLE TEACHERS TO PROVIDE A MORE HUMANE LEARNING PROCESS?

This study aims at exploring the practice of teachers’ reflection as a potential medium to disentangle the rigid teaching and learning interactions where teachers take control or dominate learning discourses. Utilizing the qualitative method of narrative inquiry, this study offers insight into how teachers’ reflective practices can set the ground for more humane pedagogic practices for students to express their voices in learning. The stories from two teachers contribute to a deeper understanding of how the simple acts of reflection can deconstruct the rigid teachers-learners interactions and create opportunities for a more collaborative and equal position of knowledge-sharing practices between teachers and learners.

BENEFITTING STUDENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE-SHARING PRACTICES IN CULTURAL-BASED EDUCATION

The majority of students in higher education find it challenging to understand cultural differences and communicate in English. In reality, students' enthusiasm wanes as a result of distractions like poor internet connections and challenging coursework. Using knowledge-sharing techniques in this situation is a solution to overcoming these challenges. The purpose of this study is to describe how students feel about using knowledge-sharing techniques in an online intercultural communication course. Three English Department students who participated in the research's Knowledge-sharing Practice in Intercultural Communication Learning at a university in Bogor were the main subjects of the study. Students in intercultural communication classes at higher education institutions range in age from 20 to 22 and academic standing. Focus groups discussion, interviews, and other forms of narrative inquiry were used in this qualitative study. This study discovered that implementing knowledge-sharing practices in online learning aids students in removing confusion from Intercultural communication classes, encourages higher education students to voice their opinions, aids higher education students in showing respect for cultural differences, stimulates students to think critically, encourages students to participate in the discussion, and inspires students to study abroad, but it is still challenging for them.

Influence of Employee Empowerment on Job Satisfaction of Commercial State Corporations in Kenya

The general objective of this study was to establish the influence of employee empowerment on job satisfaction in commercial state corporations within Kenya. The majority of Kenyan employees are absorbed by the public sector, and the Kenyan workforce is also increasingly seeking opportunities to work in the public sector. Due to this trend, it is of the essence to explore the degree to which employees' empowerment is influencing employee job satisfaction. The study's general objective was to establish the effects of employee empowerment on job satisfaction of commercial state corporations within Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to assess the influence of job design; to establish the influence of transformational leadership; to establish the influence of employee involvement and to establish the influence of knowledge-sharing practices on employee job satisfaction of commercial state corporations within Kenya. The Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, Structural Empowerment Theory, and Social Exchange Theory guided the study. The study employed the descriptive research design in collecting data from the field. The target population of this study consisted of 55 commercial state corporations within Kenya. The sample size was 48 commercial state corporations. The main research instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. The applicability of the questionnaire to the proposed study was ascertained through a pilot study including 10 respondents from the study’s target population. A frequency analysis of this dataset revealed an 83.33% response rate, which is satisfactory. Conversely, the multiple regression analysis revealed a strong positive linkage between employee job satisfaction and employee empowerment. Importantly, only job design was found to have a significant influence on employee job satisfaction of Commercial State Corporations within Kenya. Its null hypothesis was rejected at a 0.95 confidence level (α<0.05). Besides the degree of influence that the sub-variables of employee empowerment had on employee job satisfaction varied. Job design had the highest level of influence (β =0.909), followed by Knowledge-sharing practices (β =0.385), Transformational leadership (β =0.149), and lastly, employee involvement (β =0.008). The study thus concluded that employee empowerment had a significant relationship with employee job satisfaction in commercial state corporations within Kenya. In particular, the study revealed that job design was the most dominant employee empowerment tool at commercial state corporations within Kenya. The study recommends that these organizations ought to increasingly consider employee empowerment policies that aim to boost knowledge-sharing practices, transformational leadership and employee involvement. Keywords: Employee Empowerment, Employee Involvement, Job design, Employee Job Satisfaction, Knowledge Sharing Practices, Organizational Commitment, Organizational Performance, Transformational leadership.

Berbagi Pengetahuan Sebagai Mediator Pengaruh Persepsi Dukungan Organisasi terhadap Perilaku Inovasi UMKM Batik Jember


 
 
 
 Research aim: To test how the role of knowledge sharing as a mediator influences perceptions of organizational support on the innovation behaviour of Batik SMEs in Jember Regency
 Design/ Method/ Approach: The research method uses quantitative data by using the MSI (Successive Interval Method) data transformation method with path analysis techniques (path analysis)
 Research Findings: significant influence of perceived organizational support variables on innovative behaviour, both directly and indirectly, through knowledge sharing variables. The direct effect coefficient is 0.564, while the indirect effect coefficient is 0.247. This shows that the three hypotheses prepared are acceptable because they are proven significant.
 Theoretical Contribution/ Originality: The conceptual framework proposed in this model is an adaptation and synthesis of various previous research findings. Therefore this study conceptually emerges a new model in which knowledge sharing is treated as a mediating variable in mediating the effect of perceived organizational support on innovation behaviour.
 Practitionel/Policy implication : For MSME managers and related agency policymakers, find out how the role of knowledge-sharing mediator variables mediates the influence of perceptions of organizational support to take appropriate actions to increase the innovative behaviour of Batik MSMEs. Through this research, two important things will be obtained. They were first able to find out how to implement knowledge sharing in Batik MSMEs, which have competency advantages to increase innovative behaviour. Second, know how to increase the perception of organizational support by implementing knowledge-sharing practices in Batik SMEs.
 Research Limitations: The selection of research variables led to sampling criteria adjusted to research needs, so not all batik UMKM employees in Jember Regency became the research sample.
 Keywords: Knowledge Sharing, Perceived Organizational Support, Innovative Behavior, MSMEs 
 
 
 

Knowledge Sharing and Communication Practices Between Therapists and Researchers Engaging in Translational Research: Qualitative Study

Knowledge Sharing and Communication Practices Between Therapists and Researchers Engaging in Translational Research: Qualitative Study

The nature of entrepreneurs’ engagement with a layered rural context

Rural entrepreneurship has recently been reconceptualised as engagement with contexts. However, our knowledge of the nature of this engagement remains limited. In this paper, we explore the engagement of entrepreneurs hired as part-time industry mentors at regional universities. Using a qualitative approach based on grounded theory and self-ethnography, we interviewed five entrepreneurs in adjunct positions and their academic counterparts at universities in Northern Norway. We also relied on our own experience as academics collaborating with industry mentors. Our findings demonstrate that the entrepreneurs’ engagement encompasses and combines the business, academic and spatial layers of the entrepreneurs’ context and that it unfolds in the form of knowledge-sharing practices. Our study makes several contributions. First, it contributes to the limited empirical research on rural entrepreneurship as engagement with context and gives a novel and detailed account of how this engagement unfolds in practice. Second, it contributes by adding new insight into how entrepreneurs relate to a layered rural context. In particular, we emphasise that the knowledge-sharing practices help in crossing boundaries between the layers. Third, our study offers some practical contributions for rural entrepreneurs, policymakers and actors in regional innovation systems and regional universities.

A Preliminary Investigation into the Knowledge-Sharing Practices of Academic Librarians in Malaysia

A Preliminary Investigation into the Knowledge-Sharing Practices of Academic Librarians in Malaysia

Interpersonal issues in knowledge sharing: the impact of professional discretion in knowledge sharing and learning communities

ABSTRACT This study aims to provide insight into individual teachers’ behaviour and decisions regarding the exchange of knowledge, focusing on status, interdependence and reciprocity, and psychological safety. It highlights the key role of the individual professional in knowledge-sharing and professional development contexts. A social-constructivist perspective and qualitative design (case study) were employed. Eighteen teachers in upper-secondary vocational education were questioned in interviews or focus groups. Data was analysed by coding, interrelating, and reasoning. Results show how professional discretion directs intercollegial communication and sharing. Interpersonal issues (status, safety, and reciprocity) influence decisions about sharing with or withholding knowledge from certain colleagues. Consequently, professional development and processes of sharing and managing knowledge are in danger of falling flat when ignoring the individual’s impact. This emphasises the importance of individual professionals’ attitudes and preferences, and informal, social structures in approaches to professional development, knowledge-sharing practices, and learning communities.

Knowledge Sharing Practices for Corporate Sustainability: An Empirical Investigation of Sharing Economy Firms in Japan

Qualitative studies of sharing economy research are mostly descriptive case studies in the context of the United States and Europe. Although Asian economies are vibrant and expanding, rarely sharing economy research focuses on Asian contexts. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of sharing economies is rare. For this reason, our research aim is to examine the corporate sustainability of sharing economy companies through qualitative and quantitative analyses. It also shows how knowledge-sharing practices affect corporate sustainability in the context of emerging sharing economy firms in Japan. The contribution of this paper is threefold: (1) to provide a conceptual framework for sharing economy practices in general; (2) to present a specific research model in a Japanese context; (3) to report the qualitative case study findings and discuss the empirical results of testing of hypotheses with statistical validation. The research results suggest that the knowledge creation context has a positive effect on both explorative and exploitative knowledge-sharing practices. Explorative knowledge sharing has a positive effect on sustainability which in turn shows a negative effect on financial performance in the short run but a positive impact in the long run. Theoretical and managerial implications provide valuable insight into how sharing economy firms achieve sustainability goals. Future research issues are also summarized.

The Effects of the Shared Repertoire and Voluntary Action Characteristics of the Community of Practice on Knowledge Sharing at Kenya Revenue Authority

Rationale of Study – Knowledge-sharing practices can be used to improve the current practices of the Authority. This study investigated the effects of the shared repertoire and voluntary action characteristics of a community of practice (CoP) on knowledge sharing in the Kenya Revenue Authority.Methodology – A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed to collect data. Data was obtained by administering semi-structured questionnaires. The target population was 1099 KRA employees, including middle-level managers and lower-level staff based at Times Tower in Nairobi. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to create a sample size of 92 respondents, ensuring equal representation of KRA employees.Findings – The ANOVA results implied a significant relationship between shared repertoire and voluntary action with knowledge sharing at Kenya Revenue Authority. The coefficients of determination revealed that voluntary action had a more significant effect over shared repertoire on knowledge sharing in KRA.Implications – This study can help KRA to implement working CoPs, improve knowledge sharing and enhance customer-focused tax administration. The study recommends that there should be specific artefacts only shared with department members and that KRA employees should belong to a professional body beyond the department's requirements.Originality – This study fills a gap in recent research on the effects of the shared repertoire and voluntary action of a community of practice on knowledge sharing

Analysing Knowledge-Sharing Practices Using Activity Theory in the SME Organisation

An activity theory method is used to analyse the knowledge-sharing practices. The activity theory emphasises the necessity of analysing the SME organisation as a whole. In the context of knowledge-sharing practices, activity theory is used to collect interconnected parts of SME practices. A cross-sectional design was used to study the relationship among relationship commitment, knowledge-sharing practices, employee development, team performance, and a moderating role of social identification. The majority of the SMEs were established 3–5 years ago (46.3%), and 84.4% were private, with an employee range of less than 50 (73.1%). Furthermore, 82.1% of the SMEs in this study were in the growth stage. Knowledge-sharing practices have a significant positive effect on team performance (0.278, [Formula: see text]), with a moderating impact of role and behaviour on knowledge-sharing practices and team performance (0.178, [Formula: see text]). The findings have confirmed the significant and positive effects of knowledge-sharing practices on the mediation of employee development (0.045, [Formula: see text]). The activity theory models for knowledge-sharing practices emphasise the contextual nature of knowledge sharing and ensure systematic evaluation.

The Influence of Technostress, Learning Goal Orientation, and Perceived Team Learning Climate on Intra-Team Knowledge Sharing and Innovative Practices Among ICT-Enabled Team Members.

In ICT-enabled teams, innovation involves intensive adoption of ICTs and knowledge sharing among all members rather than a few experts. However, ICTs bring not only efficiency but also technostress, which hinders knowledge sharing and innovative practices among team members. To investigate this paradox, we drew on the job demand-control (JDC) model derived from the control theory of occupational stress to construct a theoretical framework regarding the collective influence of technostress, learning goal orientation, perceived team learning climate, and intra-team knowledge sharing on the innovative practices of ICT-enabled team members. Our multiple regression analyses of 481 ICT consultants' responses show that intra-team knowledge sharing positively influenced innovative practices; perceived team learning climate positively moderated this relationship. Further, technostress negatively influenced intra-team knowledge sharing; learning goal orientation positively influenced intra-team knowledge sharing, although the relationship demonstrated an inverted U-shape. Finally, learning goal orientation negatively moderated the relationship between technostress and intra-team knowledge sharing. Our results shed light on the paradox regarding ICT adoption, with theoretical implications for employee-driven innovation, team learning climate, intra-team knowledge sharing, learning goal orientation, and managerial practices about the design and adoption of ICT-enabled jobs.

A Cross-case Analysis on the Barriers to Knowledge Sharing Practices in Construction Joint Ventures

Construction joint ventures often used as a strategic platform to facilitate learning and acquire knowledge associated with individual partner skills and capabilities, and further integrate the new knowledge into their own system and structure. Although previous literature has highlighted many benefits of joint ventures, in reality it does not work well as people are often hesitant to share their knowledge and experience. Furthermore, the nature of construction projects and temporary setting of joint venture organisations often results in difficulty to retain the knowledge of each project member once the project completed, and the joint venture dissolved. Such problems become more critical in the local-foreign joint venture projects where knowledge has to be shared across different organisations and national culture. This research paper aims to assess the barriers for knowledge sharing practices by using cross-case analysis of joint venture projects as case studies. This research took a qualitative approach with a multiple-case study method adopted to perform exploratory case studies into construction joint ventures in Malaysia. Qualitative data were collected using the semi-structured interview techniques with 20 interviewees from two case studies. The primary data was analysed using content analysis and cognitive mapping techniques. The research findings revealed several barriers to knowledge sharing practices within joint venture project settings such as the cultural barriers, lack of loyalty and project continuity, language barriers, unwilling to share and learn; and lack of time. The Malaysian construction industry is taking initiatives to improve its current project performance through capacity development which is one of the strategic thrusts outlined in CIDB Construction Revolution 4.0 (CR4.0). The capacity development can be done by encouraging the collaboration between construction participants. It gives a very significant justification for undertaking this research focusing on improving the collaboration and project performance of joint venture project settings through effective knowledge sharing.

An investigation into the knowledge–sharing practices for innovation in higher education institutions of developing countries

The adoption of knowledge-sharing practices in higher education result in improved decision-making, improved access to information and increased collaboration. A knowledge-sharing culture enables the free exchange of knowledge amongst academics and this drives institutions towards innovation.This study examines the extent to which knowledge-sharing practices have been adopted at higher education institutions (HEIs) of developing countries.The article reports on an inquiry conducted at HEIs in Zimbabwe to determine the knowledge-sharing practices in place.A survey was used to collect quantitative data from 240 purposefully selected academics at the HEIs. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.This study established that HEIs have not fully implemented the knowledge-sharing practices. Empirical evidence confirms that attendance of conferences is important for knowledge sharing where 43% of the participants approved the proposition. Coaching and mentoring improve academic skills such that 21.7% of the participants approved the premise. Subscribing to international journals increases the visibility of scientific research work and only 18.3% of the participants confirmed that their institutions subscribe to internationally recognised journals. Surprisingly, 60% of the participants confirmed that their institutions do not offer knowledge-sharing workshops. Unremarkably, 23.3% of the participants confirmed that their institutions do not have a knowledge-sharing culture.Transdisciplinarity Contribution: Higher education institutions have not fully exploited the knowledge-sharing practices that could make them more innovative. The institutions are still at the trial stage of adopting knowledge-sharing practices. This study therefore recommends the creation of communities of practice (COPs) specifically for knowledge sharing.

Reciprocal knowledge sharing: exploring professional–cultural knowledge sharing between expatriates and local nurses

PurposeThis study aims to explore how professional–cultural knowledge is reciprocally shared between experienced expatriates and novice local nurses. To address this, the situated learning in practice lens is combined with social exchange lens.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive case study methodology enabled an exploratory approach into the knowledge-sharing practices between experienced expatriates and novice local nurses in Saudi Arabia.FindingsInsights gained in the fieldwork suggest that professional–cultural knowledge sharing (KS) often occurred through three primary practices, namely, developing a professional–cultural meaning, forming clinical competency development opportunities and intervening in unfamiliar professional–cultural situations. In addition, two micro-level conditions shaped the reciprocity of professional–cultural KS practices between expatriate and local nurses, which were individual differences and situational conditions.Originality/valueThis study advances and improves the understanding of two intertwined but rarely studied aspects of knowledge-sharing practices. The exploratory lens sought and gained rich insights into the knowledge-sharing practices between experienced and novice individuals and expatriate and local individuals.

Knowledge sharing in private social solidarity institutions during pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic period resulted in a global crisis, whether in the economy, personal or professional life. Because of the pandemic, people and institutions had to change the way they did things.
 Even though people are becoming more aware of the value of knowledge and it is becoming more common in some institutions, knowledge management methods are still not well known in the social sector and as a key tool for institutions in crisis.
 Considering the beneficial role that knowledge sharing (KS) practices play in organizations, the current study aims to investigate the impact of KS practices in Portuguese private social solidarity institutions in adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic period. To achieve the purpose and considering the exploratory nature of the research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen professionals from four private social solidarity institutions in northern Portugal. Nvivo processed the interviews. Because COVID-19 is new, there is no research on knowledge sharing in these institutions, so the study can be considered as original.
 Before and during pandemics, the presence of knowledge sharing practises, such as the integration of new employees, the proactivity of learning, the sharing of new ideas and mistakes, and the sharing relationship between peers and superiors and other institutions, was observed through the interviews. In this study, we discovered that trust, communication, technology, and social networks, as well as the role of leadership in creating an environment conducive to formal and informal sharing, were elements that facilitated knowledge sharing practises, even throughout the pandemics. During the interviews, both technical directors and employees acknowledged the following: the relationship between superiors and employees in decision-making processes; recognition, feedback and incentives from leaders and the presence of formal and informal communication networks. When it came to sharing, which could happen in a formal or informal setting, employees seemed to prefer informal interactions.
 To summarise, the institutions were able to adjust to the limits imposed by the pandemic, and the basic practises of KS are part of the daily routine of the organisations analysed.

Knowledge Sharing and Managing Intellectual Capital in the Times of COVID-19: Evidence from Polish Restaurant Industry

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show how restaurants in Poland managed their intellectual capital (IC) in the COVID-19 crisis and how knowledge sharing (KS) helped them to survive in those dynamically changing conditions. Methodology: The study is based on qualitative research – semi-structured interviews with a few restaurant owners and managers responsible for the business operations during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: Research results show that one of the key factors in the restaurant survival is their IC. Proper management of this capital allowed businesses to adjust to this unprecedented situation. Dynamic and intense KS between restaurants’ owners, managers and employees fastened the process of adjustment and provided new kind of services necessary to successfully operate in the new reality. Research limitations: The paper takes into consideration only selected restaurants in the Pomeranian region in Poland. Hence, the results cannot be generalized. Practical implications: The paper shows how restaurants’ managers and owners used KS and IC management in order to adapt their business operations to the COVID-19 reality. That can be inspiring for entrepreneurs and help them fully utilize IC of their employees and coworkers, as well as discover the benefits of KS practices. The study also shows the idea of supportive restaurant community and its important role in KS. It also shows arising coopetition between businesses in order to survive violent changes in the socio-economic environment. Originality/value: The paper focuses on dealing with the COVID-19 problems in the restaurant industry from the KS and IC perspective. So far, there are few studies of this kind that take the catering sector as the main subject of the research. Findings can be helpful and valuable not only for academics, but also for entrepreneurs and managers that seek knowledge and solutions they can use in order to grow and develop their organizations in the turbulent environment.

How to structure a knowledge-sharing process based on different configurations of time and space dimensions:

The availability and progress of information and communication technologies opened new possibilities for learning processes. Even though there are recent studies about the use of technologies in learning processes, a more systematic and deep debate about the forms of knowledge sharing in teaching processes and how technologies can be used in different educational contexts is still necessary. This paper investigates forms of knowledge sharing used in an education setting and introduces a method to the analysis of the knowledge sharing process based on four possible configurations of knowledge sharing (same-time same-place, same-time different-place, different-time same-place, different-time different-place) under the perspective of digital literacy. As the study object, teachers of an engineering course were interviewed with respect to the pedagogical practices adopted in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the feasibility of continuing some of them after this period. The coding of these experiences and the reflection on them permitted the introduction of a framework for the structuration of knowledge-sharing practices in educational environments that employ different configurations of space-time in the educational process, under the conceptual lenses of digital literacy. This method seems to be a feasible tool for analysis of different situations where there are different practices of knowledge sharing.

Value Creation through Frugal Innovation, Innovation Capability and Knowledge Sharing in a Circular Economy

This study aims to examine the direct effect of innovation capability on value creation. The mediating role of frugal innovation and the moderating role of knowledge sharing are also explored between innovation capability and value creation link. This exploratory study uses quantitative and cross-sectional data collected through questionnaires. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the hypothesis. Findings show a significant positive impact of innovation capability on value creation. Results proved that frugal innovation mediates the relations between innovation capability and value creation. Knowledge sharing strengthens the association between innovation capability and value creation in their association. Our research provides a framework for the sustainable advancement of SMEs in a circular economy and recommends that they increase the value creation of the products/services through frugal innovation based on the innovation capabilities. Moreover, knowledge-sharing practices speed up the interplay between innovation capability and value creation in the circular economy.