Towards exploring factors that influence social media-based knowledge sharing intentions in disaster management

Abstract

Knowledge sharing is considered vitally important for the success of disaster management initiatives. Within the process of disaster management, a growing number of users have started to utilize social media as a means of knowledge sharing. Specifically, social media empowers individuals to take part in knowledge sharing activities, which will in turn encourage more people to join in disaster relief activities. Encouraging online knowledge sharing behaviors among employees is a prominent research topic. However, to date, little empirical research has been undertaken to examine social media- based knowledge sharing behaviors within the disaster management domain. This study explores the factors that facilitate voluntary social media-based knowledge sharing intentions, for use within disaster management. The study offers a conceptual model for assessing these factors. In this paper, the three dependent variables of individual attitude, subject norms and perceived behavioral control are defined as related to social mediabased knowledge sharing intention. In addition, the three groups of organizational factors, individual factors and technology factors, with seven subset variables of management support, organizational reward, knowledge self-efficacy, interpersonal trust, enjoyment in helping others, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, are identified as independent variables in this study. This study reviews the existing literature both in the field of social media-based knowledge sharing in general and in the disaster management domain in particular. Comparing this research with other studies, the main difference is that this study proposes a full set of factors that influence social media-based knowledge sharing behavior. Concluding remarks and suggestions for further statistical study work are provided, particularly in relation to the implications for disaster relief organizations in Somalia.