Knowledge sharing factors on knowledge sharing behaviour among employees in construction industry

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to develop an understanding of the determinants of the individual’s knowledge sharing behaviour in construction industry. The objectives of the study are to 1) identify the level of knowledge sharing behaviour among the quantity surveyors, 2) investigate the level of the knowledge sharing factors (personal, organizational and technology factors), 3) determine the relationship between the knowledge sharing factors with the knowledge sharing behaviour among the quantity surveyors, and 4) identify knowledge sharing factors which have significant effect on knowledge sharing behaviour among the quantity surveyors. The survey is conducted by distributing questionnaires to the quantity surveyors from the firms registered in Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia. Descriptive statistics are used to explain the level of knowledge sharing behaviour and knowledge sharing factors in organization. Correlation analysis is applied to clarify on the relationship between knowledge sharing factors and knowledge sharing behaviour, whereby multiple regression is adopted to determine knowledge sharing factors that have significant effect on knowledge sharing behaviour. The findings show that the level of learning capability is the highest among the respondents. The results also indicate that the overall level of knowledge sharing behaviour among the quantity surveyors is at moderate level. Besides, seven knowledge sharing factors including expected trust, expected contribution, learning capability, perceived fairness, supportive leadership, perceived openness and use of ICT that have positive relationship with knowledge sharing behaviour are revealed from the findings. Conversely, fear of loss of personal competitiveness is found to be negatively related to knowledge sharing behaviour. However, among the eight factors, use of ICT has the strongest relationship with knowledge sharing behaviour. In addition, expected trust and use of ICT are found to be the contributing determinants of knowledge sharing behaviour among the quantity surveyors.