Factors affecting knowledge sharing practices of business educators in tertiary institutions in Imo State

Abstract

The researchers examined factors affecting knowledge sharing practices of Business Educators in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State. The study used a survey design with two research questions. The population of the study consists of 38 Business Education Lecturers in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State. A census study of all the 38 lecturers was involved for the study since their number can be reached. The instrument for data collection in this study is a researcher made rating scale named “Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing Practices of Business Educators Scale (FAKSPBES)” with 10 items based on a four-point scale. The face validity of the instrument was established by three experts in Business Education and Educational Measurement and Evaluation while internal consistency was established on a one-shot method of administration using Cronbach alpha statistics with an index of 0.79 indicating high reliability of the research instrument. The rating scale was administered by hand and was retrieved personally by the researchers with the help of two trained research assistants to ensure a high percentage return rate. In analysing the data that were collected, mean score was used to answer the research questions. For instance, mean score below the criterion mean of 2.5 is regarded as disagreed to the items while mean score of 2.5 and above is seen as agreed among the respondents. It was found among others that positive factors affect knowledge sharing practices of Business Educators in Tertiary Institutions among which are motivation to share knowledge, management support, trust, spirit of teamwork and good leadership. In the same vein, the negative factors that affect knowledge sharing practices of Business Educators are poor technical infrastructure, ill behaviour of some lecturers, politicking, poor technical skills, and poor reward system. It was recommended that school administrators should ensure  that technical infrastructure that could affect knowledge sharing practices of Business Educators is improved upon.

Keywords: Knowledge, Knowledge sharing, Business Educators, Lecturers, Tertiary Institutions