Personality Traits Influencing Knowledge Sharing in Student–Supervisor Relationship: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis

Abstract

Although knowledge sharing (KS) and personality traits are primarily studied in business organisations, these issues are equally important for universities. However, few attempts have been made to investigate the relationship between personality traits and KS, particularly in the context of Malaysian higher education. The present study¯lls the research gap by examining the e®ects of personality traits -speci¯cally agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experienceon KS in the student-supervisor relationship. Using probability sampling, data was collected from 175 doctoral students. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses. The¯ndings suggest that agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience are signi¯cantly and positively related to the KS behaviours of research supervisors. Openness to experience was revealed to be the most in°uential factor in the supervisor's level of KS. This is the¯rst study to investigate the relationship between personality traits and KS in the context of the student-supervisor relationship, thus marking a signi¯cant contribution to the KS literature. The¯ndings of this paper have implication for academics and higher education administrators.

Knowledge sharing in higher education institutes

“…Conscientiousness people are more likely to socialise in the organisation; these characteristics are vital in the process of KS. In recent research, Memon et al (2016) found a positive association between KS and conscientiousness. Hence, by characteristics possessed by the conscientiousness people and the results of prior studies (Matzler et al, 2008;Memon et al, 2016), we conjecture the fourth research hypothesis as follows: H4.…”

“…In recent research, Memon et al (2016) found a positive association between KS and conscientiousness. Hence, by characteristics possessed by the conscientiousness people and the results of prior studies (Matzler et al, 2008;Memon et al, 2016), we conjecture the fourth research hypothesis as follows: H4. Conscientiousness is positively linked to KS.…”

“…Digman (1990) gave another definition, according to which creativity, thinking from a different perspective and keenness to learn together are known as openness to experience. Few past studies found a strong and 314 JARHE 12,2 substantial influence of openness to experience on KS (Agyemang and Boateng, 2016;Matzler et al, 2008;Memon et al, 2016). Keeping in view the characteristics attached to the openness to experience trait, we can expect that people with a higher level of openness will be more likely to share knowledge.…”

“…According to recent studies, agreeableness (Farrukh et al, 2016;Farrukh et al, 2017) is an individual's personality trait which is a collection of different characteristics including honesty, truthfulness, self-sacrifice, commitment, simplicity and cool-mindedness. People with a high level of agreeableness are supportive and helpful and are more likely to share knowledge (Agyemang and Boateng, 2016;Memon et al, 2016). Thus, based on the characteristics of agreeableness, we postulate the following third research hypothesis: H3.…”

Turnover intentions in Jordanian Universities: The role of leadership behaviour, organizational commitment and organizational culture

“…Over the last decades, many studies have focused on employee turnover (Callea et al, 2016;Han et al, 2016;Memon et al, 2016b;Ahmed et al, 2015;Rabbi et al, 2015). This reflects the significance of turnover, and how many organizations perceive turnover negatively, as stipulated by Lee et al (2010).…”