Factors influencing knowledge sharing intention in higher education institution

Abstract

In this era, knowledge is recognized as the critical element for organizations to achieve competitive advantage. However individuals hoard their knowledge due to some factors. This research aimed to study the influences of individual and psychological factors, organizational factors and technological factor on the knowledge sharing intention by using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as the theoretical framework. The quantitative survey was conducted on 177 academic staffs from 13 faculties of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru Campus. The Spearman‘s coefficient correlation, multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis were used to test the research objectives. The correlation analyses results showed that 9 out of 11 hypotheses were supported. The research finding was consistent with Theory of Planned Behaviour where attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control collectively explained 50.6 percent variance of knowledge sharing intention. The results of regression analysis showed that the most significant knowledge sharing intention predictor were attitude and perceived behavioural control; the most dominant predictor of attitude were anticipated reciprocal relationship, trust and knowledge self-efficacy; the most dominant predictor of subjective norm was affiliation; and the predictor of perceived behavioural control was controllability of ICT. The proposed theoretical framework was overall supported by the mediation analysis results, in which 7 out of 8 hypotheses were supported. From theoretical perspective, this research proffers a comprehensive perspective on examine knowledge sharing intention by clarifying and rearranging the factors. From practical perspective, the findings could increase the understanding about factors influencing knowledge sharing intention and highlighted the team-task-based task approach for enabling the organization to formulate complementary strategies in cultivating knowledge sharing culture. Future research could investigate the moderating effect of gender, age, race, working experience and other factors on knowledge sharing intention.