Based on the theory of reasoned action, this study examined the impact of social capital and individual motivations on information sharing in the context of higher education. The research conducted an online survey of 277 academic technicians in five academic institutions in public university in Iraq. The model was developed using the structural equation modelling technique with AMOS v.27 and conditional hypotheses were tested. The findings suggest that social connection, trust, reciprocity, shared language, vision and a positive attitude towards assisting others influence technicians’ willingness to share information. It is also shown that attitude and subjective norms significantly affect information-sharing intentions. The results provide insights into understanding the social capital processes and individual motivations that contribute to information sharing among academic technicians in developing countries, particularly Iraq. Therefore, lab managers can implement practical plans to support these factors.
XiangCLuYGuptaS. Knowledge sharing in information system development teams: examining the impact of shared mental model from a social capital theory perspective. Behav Inform Technol2013; 32(10): 1024–1040.
2.
LiYYeFSheuC. Social capital, information sharing and performance: evidence from China. Int J Oper Prod Manag2014; 34(11): 1440–1462.
3.
FilieriRMcNallyRCO’DwyeM, et al. Structural social capital evolution and knowledge transfer: evidence from an Irish pharmaceutical network. Ind Market Manag2014; 43(3): 429–440.
4.
LeanaCRPilFK. Social capital and organizational performance: evidence from urban public schools. Organ Sci2006; 17(3): 353–366.
5.
AkhavanPHosseiniSM. Social capital, knowledge sharing, and innovation capability: an empirical study of R&D teams in Iran. Tech Anal Strat Manag2016; 28(1): 96–113.
6.
KimS. Public service motivation, organizational social capital, and knowledge sharing in the Korean public sector. Publ Perform Manag Rev2018; 41(1): 130–151.
7.
Vera-MunozSCHoJLChowCW. Enhancing knowledge sharing in public accounting firms. Account Horizon2006; 20(2): 133–155.
8.
ChoIParkHKimJK. The relationship between motivation and information sharing about products and services on Facebook. Behav Inform Technol2014; 34(9): 858–868.
9.
FullwoodRRowleyJDelbridgeR. Knowledge sharing amongst academics in UK universities. J Knowl Manag2013; 17(1): 123–136.
10.
GalangAP. Environmental education for sustainability in higher education institutions in the Philippines. Int J Sustain High Educ2010; 4(2): 138–150.
11.
LozanoRLozanoFJMulderK, et al. Advancing higher education for sustainable development: international insights and critical reflections. J Clean Prod2013; 48: 3–9.
12.
ChiuC-MHsuM-HWangETG. Understanding knowledge sharing in virtual communities: an integration of social capital and social cognitive theories. Decis Supp Syst2006; 42(3): 1872–1888.
13.
LinXWangX. Examining gender differences in people’s information-sharing decisions on social networking sites. Int J Inform Manag2020; 50: 45–56.
14.
SukhuAZhangTCBilgihanA. Factors influencing information sharing behaviors in social networking sites. Serv Market Quart2015; 36(4): 317–334.
15.
NahapietJGhoshalS. Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage. Acad Manag Rev1998; 23(2): 242–266.
16.
BontisNJanosevićSĎzenopoljacV. Intellectual capital in Serbia’s hotel industry. Int J Contemp Hosp Manag2015; 27(6): 1365–1384.
17.
CabreraEFCabreraA. Fostering knowledge sharing through people management practices. Int J Hum Res Manag2005; 16(5): 720–735.
18.
McDowellWCPeakeWOCoderLA, et al. Building small firm performance through intellectual capital development: exploring innovation as the ‘black box’. J Bus Res2018; 88: 321–327.
19.
HeideJBMinerAS. The shadow of the future: effects of anticipated interaction and frequency of contact on buyer-seller cooperation. Acad Manag J1992; 35(2): 265–291.
20.
BockG-WZmudRWKimY-G, et al. Behavioral Intention formation in knowledge sharing: examining the roles of extrinsic motivators, social-psychological forces, and organizational climate. MIS Quart2005; 29(1): 87–111.
21.
PowellWWKoputKWSmith-DoerrL. Interorganisational collaboration and the locus of innovation: networks of learning in biotechnology. Admin Sci Quart1996; 41(1): 116–145.
22.
MooiEFrambachR. Encouraging innovation in business relationships: a research note. J Bus Res2012; 65(7): 1025–1030.
23.
LiuLCheungCMKLeeMKO. An empirical investigation of information sharing behavior on social commerce sites. Int J Inform Manag2016; 36(5): 686–699.
24.
ChangHChuangS-S. Social capital and individual motivations on knowledge sharing: participant involvement as a moderator. Inform Manag2011; 48(1): 9–18.
25.
LinXSarkerSFeathermanM. Users’ psychological perceptions of information sharing in the context of social media: a comprehensive model. Int J Electr Comm2019; 23(4): 453–491.
26.
DyerJHChuW. The role of trustworthiness in reducing transaction costs and improving performance: empirical evidence from the United States, Japan, and Korea. Organ Sci2003; 14(1): 57–68.
27.
AjzenI. Attitude, personality, and behavior. London: Open University Press, 2005.
28.
FishbeinMAjzenI. Predicting and changing behavior: the reasoned action approach. New York: Psychology Press, 2011.
29.
PavlouPAFygensonM. Understanding and predicting electronic commerce adoption: an extension of the theory of planned behavior. MIS Quart2006; 30(1): 115–143.
30.
WaskoMMFarajS. Why should I share? Examining social capital and knowledge contribution in electronic networks of practice. MIS Quart2005; 29(1): 35–57.
31.
VillenaVHRevillaEChoiTU. The dark side of buyer-supplier relationships: a social capital perspective. J Oper Manag2011; 29(6): 561–576.
32.
JolaeeAMd NorKKhaniN, et al. Factors affecting knowledge sharing intention among academic staff. Int J Educ Manag2014; 28(4): 413–431.
33.
MooradianTRenzlBMatzlerK. Who trusts? Personality, trust and knowledge sharing. Manag Learn2006; 37(4): 523–540.
34.
SheuCYenHRChaeB. Determinants of supplier-retailer collaboration: evidence from an international study. Int J Oper Prod Manag2006; 26(1): 24–49.
35.
RazakNAPangilFMd ZinML, et al. Theories of knowledge sharing behavior in business strategy. Proc Econ Fin2016; 37: 545–553.
36.
LePBLeiH. The mediating role of trust in stimulating the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge sharing processes. J Knowl Manag2018; 22(3): 521–537.
37.
ZhaoXTangQLiuS, et al. Social capital, motivations, and mobile coupon sharing. Ind Manag Data Syst2016; 116(1): 188–206.
38.
RidingsCGefenDArinzeB. Some antecedents and effects of trust in virtual communities. J Strat Inform Syst2002; 11(3-4): 271–295.
39.
ChangC-MHsuM-HLeeY-J. Factors influencing knowledge-sharing behavior in virtual communities: a longitudinal investigation. Inform Syst Manag2015; 32(4): 331–340.
40.
PeruginiMGallucciMPresaghiF, et al. The personal norm of reciprocity. Eur J Person2003; 17(4): 251–283.
41.
TangXTangMWengZ, et al. The impact of social capital on information exchange and well-being in virtual communities. J Glob Inform Tech Manag2012; 15(3): 5–29.
42.
ZhangXTangMWengZ, et al. Social capital, motivations, and knowledge sharing intention in health Q&A communities. Manag Decis2017; 55(7): 1536–1557.
43.
GhahtaraniaASheikhmohammadyMRostamiM. The impact of social capital and social interaction on customers’ purchase intention, considering knowledge sharing in social commerce context. J Innov Knowl2019; 5(3): 191–199.
44.
OsterlohMFreyB. Motivation, knowledge transfer, and organizational forms. Organ Sci2000; 11(5): 538–550.
45.
KankanhalliAYTanBCWeiK-K. Contributing knowledge to electronic knowledge repositories: an empirical investigation. MIS Quart2005; 29(1): 113–143.
46.
DeciELRyanRM. The what and why of goal pursuits: human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychol Inq2000; 11(4): 227–268.
47.
LinH-F. Effects of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on employee knowledge sharing intentions. J Inform Sci2007; 33(2): 135–149.
48.
PhillipsBShippsB. Frequency of usage. Int J Virt Commun Soc Netw2012; 4(2): 30–45.
49.
HungSDurcikovaALuiH-M, et al. The influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on individuals’ knowledge sharing behavior. Int J Hum-Comp Stud2011; 69(6): 415–427.
50.
HauYSKimBLeeH, et al. The effects of individual motivations and social capital on employees’ tacit and explicit knowledge sharing intentions. Int J Inform Manag2013; 33(2): 356–366.
51.
ChangTJYehSPYehIJ. The effects of joint reward system in new product development. Int J Manp2007; 28(3/4): 276–297.
52.
ChennamaneniATengJTCTRajaMK. A unified model of knowledge sharing behaviours: theoretical development and empirical test. Behav Inform Technol2012; 31(11): 1097–1115.
53.
Yli-RenkoHAutioESapienzaHJ. Social capital, knowledge acquisition, and knowledge exploitation in young technology-based firms. Strat Manag J2001; 22(6-7): 587–613.
54.
TaylorSToddP. Assessing IT usage: the role of prior experience. MIS Quart1995; 19(4): 561–570.
55.
VenkateshVThongJXuX. Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. MIS Quart2012; 36(1): 157–178.
56.
MOHESR. The annual guidebook of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Baghdad. Baghdad, Iraq: Higher Education Press, 2014.
57.
MorettiE. Social learning and peer effects in consumption: evidence from movie sales. Rev Econ Stud2011; 78(1): 356–393.
