The Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing Attitude in the Relationship between Collaborative Knowledge Environment and Knowledge Sharing Intention

Abstract

The current study investigated the relationship between collaborative knowledge environment and intention to share knowledge in Sudanese insurance firms. In addition, this study aimed to examine the mediating effect of attitude toward knowledge sharing on the relationship between collaborative knowledge environment and intention to share knowledge based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the theory of social exchange (SET). To achieve the research objectives, this study adopted the descriptive design. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from a convenience sample of (395) employees among Sudanese insurance firms were selected for analysis. This study employed structural equation modelingusing SPSS and its endowers' programme AMOS. The path coefficient analysis was used to test the proposed hypotheses. The analysis of the data showed that only two components of collaborative knowledge environment have a significant positive influence on intention to share knowledge (i.e., employee attitude, and work group support,) whereas the other remaining components of CKE, namely organizational culture and immediate supervisor support have a negative influence on KSI . The results also indicated that the attitude toward knowledge sharing (KSA) has a significant positive effect on the relationship between two components of CKE (i.e., work group support, employee attitude) and KSI. Whilst KSA has a negative influence on the relationship between the other two components of CKE (i.e., organizational culture and immediate supervisor support). Jointly, the findings can be summarized in that CKE has a positive influence on KSI. As well as attitude toward knowledge sharing has a positive effect on the relationship between CKE and KSI. These findings were discussed in the light of previous literature. As a conclusion, the study contributes to the knowledge sharing literature by illuminating the interrelations of context, collaborative knowledge environment, attitude, and intention, offering useful implications to theory and practice. Additionally, this study acknowledged several limitations and presented insightful suggestions for future research.