Abstract:
to perform to the expectation including higher learning
institutions (HLIs). Hence, struggling to perform is an indication
of lack of KM initiatives. Though many facets of KM have been
investigated in HLIs, more studies are needed as the previous
empirical works have focused only on knowledge sharing
behavior among academicians. An intensive literature review
exposes that nonexistence of works employing KM-related
theories. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate academicians’
perceived intention (KM Intention) and involvement in KM
initiatives (KM Behavior) and its predictors in a Malaysian HLI,
which is struggling to perform, by relating theory of knowledge
creation. KM intention explains the perception and the attitudes
towards KM while the KM behavior illustrates the real behavior.
Both these variables were operationalized based on knowledge
creation theory through the socialization, externalization,
combination, and internalization (SECI) process. A conceptual framework was developed based on the theory of reasoned action
and the theory of planned behavior. Six independent variables
representative of the socio-cultural nature of KM - trust,
management support, decentralization, IT support, performance
expectancy, and effort expectancy - were considered as the
predictors of KM intention, which in turn, predict KM behavior.
Data were collected from 156 academicians from an HLI in
Malaysia using questionnaires. The questionnaire items were
adapted from previous studies. The structural model analysis
confirmed that out of seven proposed hypotheses, four are
supported: Trust, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy
influence KM Intention, while KM Intention influences KM
Behavior. Even though further research works are needed to
generalize the findings, the current research and the findings
can enrich the KM literature and provide some insights to the
decision makers of the selected HLI on the appropriate KM
implementation strategies.
