Relationship between trust, motivation and knowledge sharing among personnel of selected Nigerian University Libraries in two geo-political zones in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the relationship between trust, motivation and knowledge sharing practices among personnel of selected university libraries in North-Central and South- South geo-political zones in Nigeria, to find out the relationship between trust, motivation and knowledge sharing. The quantitative research methodology was used and descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. The study focused on academic librarians and library officers in the studied university libraries. A random sampling technique was used to select fourteen University Libraries in the North-Central and South-South geo-political zones in Nigeria. Findings from the study revealed that there was no significant relationship between trust and knowledge sharing as well as there was no significant relationship between motivation and knowledge sharing among personnel of University Libraries in the North-Central and South-South geo-political zones in Nigeria as at the time of this study. The study also confirmed further that there was no joint effect of trust and motivation on knowledge sharing among staff in the studied University Libraries in North-Central and South-South geo-political zones in Nigeria. This implied that absence of trust among the personnel and lack of staff motivation may jointly affect knowledge sharing negatively, but even with that the staffs still share knowledge among themselves. The paper recommended that the management in Nigerian University Libraries should put in place mechanism such as inclusive management system, open communication system, fairness to all staff, and reduction of nepotism to a reasonable extent that will enhance trust among staff. In addition, staff welfare such as provision of relevant working tools, staff promotion as at when due and other reward systems to motivate staff in the discharge of their duties as well as encouraging unity among staff and which may in turn promote knowledge sharing practices in the workplace. .