Adoption of Knowledge-Sharing Strategies and Its determinants in Higher Education Institutions in South Africa

Abstract

Valuable sources of knowledge within an organization will remain local if knowledge sharing process is not managed appropriately. The purpose of this chapter was therefore to determine the factors that influence effective knowledge sharing in higher education institutions in South Africa. Data collection was largely based on critical review of literature relating to knowledge sharing and its determinants in HEIs. Institutional theory, theory of reasoned action, and socio-technical theory were used as underpinning theories to guide the study. The findings revealed factors that complicates the knowledge sharing process including lack of infrastructure, unwillingness to share knowledge, lack of trust, lack of incentives, low level of awareness, lack of training, lack of effective organizational culture. This chapter, therefore, recommends that these institutions can address some of the barriers to successful knowledge sharing if they leverage on these factors. The chapter further proposed an integrated conceptual framework for effective knowledge sharing within HEIs in South Africa.