Attitude-To-Process Model, Social Network, Social Trust and Shared Goals In Organizational Knowledge Sharing: Empirical Evidence From Pakistan

Abstract

This paper conceptualizes the theory-of-reasoned-action and attitude-to-behavior process model and integrates them into previous research. The target is to see whether social capital has any significant role in sharing of knowledge in organizations. To achieve the purpose, the researchers empirically tested 11 hypotheses (nine were put to validation as these hypotheses have already been tested in other settings while two were put to test for the first time) by employing confirmatory factor analysis as a statistical technique. Data for the study were collected from 114 faculty members of two universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The results validated the majority (8 out of the 9) of the previously tested hypotheses and evidence of the significant contribution of social networks and shared goals on an employee’s willingness of sharing knowledge. However, social trust has shown a significant contribution in the reverse direction which is very interesting and needs further in-depth exploration. Similarly, hypotheses 10 and 11, which were put to test for the first time, were not supported by the empirical data. As a whole, the results of this study warrant organizations that knowledge sharing is indisputable for remaining viable in the market. The results have also made this evident that employees are willing to share knowledge if organizations provide a more conducive atmosphere to affect knowledge sharing. The results also challenge the absoluteness of trust and demand organizations that could have negative results as well. The results have practical as well as theoretical implications. The study has some limitations as well.