Analysis of Attitude, Motivations, and Barriers to Knowledge Sharing Behavior Among Postgraduate Students at Tabriz University

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: The current study aims to explore the attitudes, motivations, and obstacles to knowledge sharing among postgraduate students at the University of Tabriz.
Methods: The research method employed is a descriptive survey. The statistical population of the present study is 6,223 postgraduate students from the University of Tabriz, with a sample of 374 individuals selected based on the relative stratified sampling method according to the Krejci-Morgan table. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Its validity was confirmed by experts in Library and Information Science, and its reliability was determined to be 82.9% using Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and linear regression.
Results: The research findings indicated that the respondents’ age, gender, and major academic groups of the respondents had an effect on their knowledge sharing behavior, but their level of education did not. Pearson’s correlation coefficient results revealed a significant relationship between the extent of knowledge sharing and the components of attitude, motivation, barriers, resources, types of information, and knowledge sharing channels. Furthermore, the multiple regression analysis results showed that among all the independent variables, ‘attitude towards knowledge sharing’, ‘types of shared information and knowledge’, and ‘motivation to share knowledge’ were included in the equation. These three components explain 19% of the changes related to knowledge sharing.
Conclusion: Knowledge sharing can facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge among students, leading to an expansion of knowledge and a deeper understanding of their subjects. In general, the implementation of knowledge sharing among postgraduate students at the University of Tabriz could help achieve the university’s educational and research objectives.

Keywords

References

References
Ali, N., & Khan, D. (2016). Behavioural mechanism of knowledge sharing pattern among research Scholars. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Libraries (pp. 785-798). TERI.
Aljaaidis, K., Bagais, O & Al-Moataz, E. (2020). Knowledge sharing and individuals’ effectiveness in educational institutions.Management Science Letters , 10(15), 3477-3484. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.7.001 
Arastoopoor, S., Kaffashan Kakhki, M., Mohamadian, Z. (2022). Evaluating barriers to organizational culture and knowledge sharing for designing a knowledge sharing infrastructure: A case study. Library and Information Science Research, 11(2), 187- 210. https://doi.org/10.22067/infosci.2021.24028.0 (In Persian)
Arif, M., Qaisar, N., & Kanwal, S. (2022). Factors affecting students' knowledge sharing over social media and individual creativity: An empirical investigation in Pakistan. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(1), 100598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100598
Cheng, M.-Y., Ho, J. S.-Y., & Lau, P. M. (2009). Knowledge sharing in academic institutions: A study of Multimedia University Malaysia. Electronic Journal of knowledge management, 7(3), 313-324.
Chong, C. W., Teh, P.-L., & Tan, B. C. (2013). Knowledge sharing among Malaysian universities’ students: do personality traits, class room and technological factors matter? Educational Studies, 40(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2013.825577
Chow, W. S., & Chan, L. S. (2008). Social network, social trust and shared goals in organizational knowledge sharing. Information & management, 45(7), 458-465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2008.06.007
Deng, H., Duan, S. X., & Wibowo, S. (2023). Digital technology driven knowledge sharing for job performance. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(2), 404-425. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-08-2021-0637 
Dzandu, M. D., Boateng, H., & Tang, Y. (2014). Knowledge sharing idiosyncrasies of university students in Ghana. In Service Science and Knowledge Innovation: 15th IFIP WG 8.1 International Conference on Informatics and Semiotics in Organizations, ICISO 2014, Shanghai, China, May 23-24, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55355-4_36 Proceedings 15 (pp. 348-357). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55355-4_36
Farajpahlou, A., soleimanpour, s., & Heidari, G. (2017). Knowledge sharing and factors affecting it among postgraduate students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in the academic year 2014-2015. Journal of Studies in Library and Information Science, 8(18), 19-44. https://doi.org/10.22055/slis.2016.11628  (In Persian)
Fullwood, R., Rowley, J., & Delbridge, R. (2013). Knowledge sharing amongst academics in UK universities. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(1), 123-136. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673271311300831
Haas, M. R., & Hansen, M. T. (2005). When using knowledge can hurt performance: The value of organizational capabilities in a management consulting company. Strategic management journal, 26(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.429
Hassanzadeh, M. (2007). Knowledge management: Concepts and infrastructures. Tehran: Ketabdar Publications. (In Persian)
Hosen, M., Ogbeibu, S., Giridharan, B., Cham, T.-H., Lim, W. M., & Paul, J. (2021). Individual motivation and social media influence on student knowledge sharing and learning performance: Evidence from an emerging economy. Computers & Education, 172, 104262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104262  
Islam, S., Nowrin, S., & Mostofa, S. M. (2017). Knowledge sharing pattern among the arts faculty students of Dhaka University: A survey. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 37(4). https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.37.4.9952 
Jafarzadeh, z. (1394). The analysis of individual factors on knowledge sharing behavior of library and information science faculties. Library and Information Science Research, 5(2), 40-61. https://doi.org/10.22067/riis.v5i2.38494 (In Persian)
Jer Yuen, T., & Shaheen Majid, M. (2007). Knowledge‐sharing patterns of undergraduate students in Singapore. Library Review, 56(6), 485-494. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530710760382 
Kaba, A., Eletter, S., Ramaiah, C. K., & El Refae, G. A. (2023). Demographic differences in attitude, subjective norms, behavioral intention, and knowledge sharing behavior: an empirical study of non-academic staff from India and the UAE. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-07-2022-0235
Kaffashan Kakhki, M., Aseman doreh, Y., & Mohamadian, Z. (2017). Measuring the effect of effective factors on the formation of knowledge sharing behavior from student's perspective (Case study: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad). Library and Information Science Research, 7(1), 153-173. (in Persian) https://doi.org/10.22067/riis.v7i1.61819
Kafashan.k, M., Kamalzadeh, S., Naji, A., & Rajabi, M. (2016). Preconditions and consequences of knowledge sharing intention among graduate students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Library and Information Sciences, 19(3), 73-97. (in Persian)
Keikha, F. (2018). Interpersonal trust factors affecting knowledge sharing behavior in virtual communities. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management, 34(1), 275-300. (in Persian) https://doi.org/10.35050/jipm010.2018.010
Mahmoudi Topkanlou, Hassan (2016). Investigating the impact of the three platforms of information culture, information use behavior and cognitive-social factors on knowledge sharing behavior in academic communities. Dissertation. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of Education and Psychology. (in Persian)
Majid, S., Idio, C. D., Liang, S., & Zhang, W. (2015). Preferences and motivating factors for knowledge sharing by students. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 14(01), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219649215500045
Malmir, A. & Ziaei, S. (2019). Measuring the Impact of Motivational Factors on Knowledge Sharing (Case Study of Iranian National Archives). Knowledge and Information Management, 6(1), 11-26. https://doi.org/10.30473/MRS.2020.46415.1379 (In Persian)
Mantegh, h., Zandian, F., HasanZadeh, M., & Sharif, a. (2023). Trust-building factors affecting organizational Knowledge sharing: a Delphi study. Library and Information Sciences, Articles in Press. https://doi.org/10.30481/lis.2023.392961.2060 (In Persian)
Mirzendehdel, M., Fahimifar, S., & Noruzi, A. (2022). Hierarchical analysis of knowledge sharing in Guilan Science and Technology Park. Academic Librarianship and Information Research, 56(2), 59-74. https://doi.org/10.22059/jlib.2022.347829.1633 (In Persian)
Ong, H.-B., Yeap, P.-F., Tan, S.-H., & Chong, L.-L. (2011). Factors influencing knowledge sharing among undergraduate students. Industry and Higher Education, 25(2), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.5367/ihe.2011.0035 
Ryan, S. D., Zhang, X., Prybutok, V. R., & Sharp, J. H. (2012). Leadership and knowledge management in an e-government environment. Administrative sciences, 2(1), 63-81. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci2010063 
Rafique, G. M., & Anwar, M. A. (2017). Motivating knowledge sharing among undergraduate medical students of the University of Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 16(04), 1750041. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219649217500411  
Rafique, G. M., & Anwar, M. A. (2019). Barriers to knowledge sharing among medical students in Pakistan. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 19(3), 235-247. https://doi.org/10.1080/15323269.2019.1628566
Saad, A., & Haron, H. (2013). A case study of academics’ knowledge sharing motivations at Malaysian public academic institutions. International Foundation for Research and Development (IFRD), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.22610/jevr.v4i9.130
Snyder, J., & Eng Lee-Partridge, J. (2013). Understanding communication channel choices in team knowledge sharing. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 18(4), 417-431. https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-03-2012-0026
Ugochi Isika, N., Akmar Ismail, M., & Fauzi Ahmad Khan, A. (2013). Knowledge sharing behaviour of postgraduate students in University of Malaya. The Electronic Library, 31(6), 713-726. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-02-2012-0021
Ur-Rehman, Z., Khan, A. J., Dost, M. K., Wassan, A. A., & Rasool, N. (2011). Knowledge sharing behavior of the students: comparative study of LUMS and COMSATS. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 33(832), 1-12. 
Wamitu, S. N. (2015). Tacit Knowledge Sharing in Public Sector Departments in Kenya. Open Journal of Business and Management, 3, 109-118. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbm.2015.31011
Wang, S., & Noe, R. A. (2010). Knowledge sharing: A review and directions for future research. Human resource management review, 20(2), 115-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2009.10.001
Wangpipatwong, S. (2009). Factors influencing knowledge sharing among university students. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computers in Education (800-807). Hong Kong: Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education.
Wei, C. C., Choy, C. S., Chew, G. G., & Yen, Y. Y. (2012). Knowledge sharing patterns of undergraduate students. Library Review, 61(5), 327-344. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531211280469
Wei C. C., Mustamil, N., Mahabub Alam, M., Highe Khan, A., & Sabbir Rahman, M. (2014). A comparative study of knowledge sharing pattern among the undergraduate and postgraduate students of private universities in Bangladesh. Library Review, 63(8/9), 653-669. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr-12-2013-0157
World bank (2021). Realizing the World Bank Group’s knowledge potential for effective development solutions: A strategic framework. The World Bank Group.   
Zavaraqi, R., Hamdipour, A., & Ghasemizadeh, F. (2018). Investigating and analyzing the motivations, amount and affecting factors of postgraduate students of scientific social networks: University of Tabriz case study. Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, 10(2), 27-53. https://doi.org/10.22035/isih.2018.278  (In Persian)
Academic Librarianship and Information Research
Volume 57, Issue 4
December 2023
Pages 89-111

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics