The role of knowledge sharing culture in business performance

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of knowledge sharing (KS) culture in leveraging knowledge management (KM) strategy and human resource (HR) strategy to improve business performance (BP).

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire survey was distributed to 120 randomly selected companies in Kuwait. A total of 392 valid responses were collected and tested using a structural equation model. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and LISREL software to verify the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed the impact of the mediating variable KS culture on the enhancement of BP. Both KM strategy and HR strategy were observed to have a positive direct effect on KS culture.

Practical implications

The results indicate that top management should make efforts to cultivate a KS culture to achieve better BP and future success.

Originality/value

The primary research contribution is the conceptual model for the role of KS culture as a mediator between KM strategy, HR strategy and BP.

Citation

Marouf, L. (2016), "The role of knowledge sharing culture in business performance", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. 46 No. 2, pp. 154-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-10-2014-0061