Information Professionals' Knowledge Sharing Practices in Social Media: A Study of Professionals in Developing Countries

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perception of informational professionals' knowledge sharing practices in social media platforms. The specific objectives of the study included learning professionals' perceptions and awareness of knowledge sharing using social media, understanding their opinions and beliefs, and gaining familiarity with and reasons for using these tools. Open & close ended web-based questions were sent out by email to the international training program (ITP) participants. Findings indicated that most of the respondents' were aware of using social media and that they used social media for knowledge sharing. Speed and ease of use, managing personal knowledge, easier communication with users and colleagues and powerful communication tool are the areas that motivated them to use it. It also stated some barriers like lack of support, familiarity, trust, unfiltered information and fear of providing information. The study was limited to the perceptual aspect of the issue, specifically from the individuals' opinions and sentiments. Keywords:Knowledge Sharing, Social Media, Information Professionals, Developing Countries Background and IntroductionIn the knowledge-based society, knowledge is a critical organizational resource that provides a sustainable competitive advantage, and knowledge about activities, services, customers/users is an increasingly valuable resource that needs to be shared broadly throughout an organization (Davenport & Prusak, 1998;Grant, 1996). Organizations must consider how to transfer knowledge from experts who have it to novices who need to know. Libraries, like other organizations, can benefit from knowledge sharing. The basic goal of knowledge sharing within and outside libraries is to leverage the available knowledge that may help information professionals to carry out their tasks more effectively (Islam, Agarwal, & Ikeda, 2014a). As a part of knowledge management (KM), knowledge sharing is believed to be a panacea for knowledge creation, and an important activity to boost innovation, improve productivity, and increase understanding among information professionals. Development & Technology Vol.6, No.2, 43-66 (December, 2016) 44 social media has brought new opportunities for knowledge sharing and has played a very significant role with patrons for decisions making (Kim & Abbas, 2010). The primary goal of knowledge sharing using social media is to leverage the available knowledge that may help academic librarians to carry out their tasks more efficiently and effectively (Maponya, 2004). Information professionals can transfer their knowledge in the form of knowledge-based services and products including e-mail, Web 2.0, websites, online discussion forums, video-conferencing and other collaboration tools . For example, Wiki as a social media tool can be read and edited simultaneously, helping to improve collaboration amongst library staff, between staff and patrons, and even across libraries (Levy, 2009). 'Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki' is u...

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