Do social networking applications support the antecedents of knowledge sharing practices?

Abstract

Purpose Many organizations are struggling to achieve competitiveness due to lack of knowledge sharing (KS) practices. The sustainability of the service sector is linked to KS practices and creativity. Therefore, to survive in a dynamic business environment, universities have to formulate and implement such practices and innovative learning systems. This paper aims to highlight how social media networking apps can be used efficiently and effectively to support the antecedents of KS among the employees in public and private universities. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a positivistic approach and a quantitative research design. A survey was carried out with employees at public and private universities. The respondents were chosen based on simple random sampling with the purpose of increasing the validity and generalizability of the results in the context of university settings and for other sectors as well. Findings Certain individual and organizational factors have been found, which have been supported by social networking tools. These factors can enhance KS practices, such as informal relationships and social networking, effective communication and collaboration, mutual trust and the intention to share knowledge, the KS culture and new ideas. The results of this study reveal that social networking applications such as WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, Facebook, Research-gate, YouTube and personal blogs are more productive in supporting the antecedents of KS stated above in university settings. Research limitations/implications Social networking applications have received attention because executives and researchers are increasingly focusing on finding new ways to use social networking tools for business purposes. The effective and efficient use of social networking tools helps organizations to foster knowledge amongst employees to address various critical issues, such as knowledge hoarding, lower levels of skills and knowledge, lower levels of communication and employee involvement, a lack of the intention to share knowledge and resistance toward the adoption of new technology. Originality/value There is rare literature available on how social networking tools can support the antecedents of KS in university settings. Most of such literature has investigated the link between social media and KS using a systematic literature and qualitative research approach. This research is based on empirical study and it is unique as it investigates the hitherto under-researched issue of the adoption of social networking applications to foster the antecedents of KS in university settings.

Understanding the role of social media in organizational change implementation

“…Extant studies have highlighted that the effectiveness of social-centric network increased because of SMAs because people are more actively involved to create interactive communication and mutual trust, which are the major antecedents of KS and organizational change implementation (Aslam et al, 2018a;Naeem, 2019;Naeem and Khan, 2019;Pettenati and Cigognini, 2007). The findings of this study reveal that social networking applications can use to foster interactive communication, KS and level of employee participation during organizational change implementation.…”

“…Furthermore, they have also highlighted that social trust is only a factor that can enhance the use of social networking technologies (Sligo and Massey, 2007). Although both studies have discussed the importance of social networking for developing social interaction and exchange of KS (Abrams et al, 2003;Sligo and Massey, 2007), but it is not possible without the presence of social trust (Aslam et al, 2018a;Naeem, 2019;Naeem and Khan, 2019). According to Sligo and Massey (2007), trust is only a factor, that is, helpful to understand the perceived benefits of technology or workplace changes and help to reduce the uncertainties about perceived risks.…”

“…However, another study has found that social trust is unable to generate attitude toward KS practices and subjective norms (Chow and Chan, 2008). Furthermore, researchers have argued that there is limited information about the role of social trust with respect to SMAs and organizational perspectives (Naeem, 2019;Naeem and Khan, 2019).…”

“…Naeem (2019) has argued that SMAs are platforms that can create the foundation of a social-centric network. The social-centric network is operating based on closeness and the common objective of a group within an organization using various SMAs (Naeem, 2019;Naeem and Khan, 2019). According to the social theory of trust, familiarity, confidence and trust between social ties can foster KS culture, formal and informal learning and effective communication among social actors of a network (Abrams et al, 2003;Chow and Chan, 2008;McElvaney and Berge, 2010).…”

Chats About Daily Traffic: Agentic Adaptability of Jabodetabek Commuters to Minimize Stress and Transcend Everyday Lives

“…Boczek and Koppers (2020) tracked how WhatsApp is used to spread news, whereas Imran et al, (2019) determined the extent to which social media facilitates and promotes knowledge exchange. Naeem and Khan (2019) found that social networking applications, such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and ResearchGate, are largely used for knowledge sharing in university settings. Furthermore, Naeem (2019) proposed that social media can be used to foster communication, enhance knowledge, promote a knowledge-sharing culture, and increase skills as well as involvement in research activities.…”