Knowledge Sharing As Communication: An Empirical Examination of Communication and Knowledge Sharing Practices In An Academic Setting

Abstract

BORRAS, DOLORES DORONILA. University of the Philippines Open University, Los Banos, Laguna, July 2016. Knowledge Sharing as Communication: An Empirical Examination of Communication And Knowledge Sharing Practices in an Academic Setting. Major Professor: Dr. Melinda F. Lumanta This study investigated the relationships between communication practices and Knowledge Sharing process (KS). The overriding purpose of this research is to come up with a unique picture of the Knowledge Sharing (KS) in the academe looking into its Communication Practices. Specifically, this study aimed: (1) to identify dimensions of communication from communication practices as generated through exploratory factor analysis and develop scales for measuring communication practices in an academic setting, (2) to examine how communication practices are related to knowledge sharing practice in the target academic setting and (3) to identify predictors of KS from the identified communication dimensions. The samples were 209 teaching and non-teaching personnel from a private Catholic academic institution in Batangas. The respondents completed a survey questionnaire from past studies. A conceptual framework was designed to guide the study. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to examine the underlying factor structure of a set of observable communication practices in the academe. This resulted to four factor loadings which led to the formulation of four pairs of hypotheses. A combined analysis using Pearson correlation with two-tailed tests of significance and regression analyses were utilized in this research. The structural dimension of social capital which refers to the climate factors, relational dimension of trust and reciprocity and leader-member exchange theory explain the prevalence of supportive communication in the setting. The results suggest that upward, horizontal and downward supportive communication are the pervading communication dimensions present in the academe. An unexpected relationship was noted on Communication Load and KS. Issues of being "overload" proved not to be a concern among respondents of the study and was suspected to be due to impression management, communication capacity and proficiency and organizational citizenship of the personnel. Implications for strategic and leadership management and research were forwarded as recommendations.