What is it about?
This study investigated the factors predicting knowledge sharing among architects in architectural firms in Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria. The study provided insight into the validity of social exchange theory, social capital theory and technological factors for studying and explaining knowledge sharing among professional architects in architectural firms. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A field survey of 104 architects was carried out using a questionnaire for data collection. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the respondents for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Findings revealed that significant predictors of knowledge sharing were enjoyment in helping others, social interaction, social identification, shared language/vision and loss of knowledge power. The level of information and communication technology (ICT) usage was also found to significantly predict knowledge sharing among architects. However, the results indicated that organisational rewards and trust do not significantly predict knowledge sharing among architects. The results also showed that loss of knowledge power negatively affected knowledge sharing, suggesting a tendency to hoard knowledge. Based on these research findings, recommendations were therefore made.
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Why is it important?
The findings can benefit young and upcoming architects, including other professionals in the construction industry such as the town planners, engineers and academics in related disciplines. The main recommendation of the study is that the management of architectural firms in Nigeria need to implement corporate policies and strategies to help their professional employees increase their motivation to share knowledge, towards fostering effective knowledge sharing practices within their firms.
Perspectives
This study has been able to provide information that can assist architectural firms and professional regulatory bodies on how to implement effective knowledge sharing practices among professional architects, who are among the knowledge workers contributing to the gross domestic product of the country. This study will also assist young and upcoming architects in becoming well informed about effective knowledge sharing practices. This will enable them to be exposed to solutions to challenges they might face in practice.
Damilola Lasode
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Predicting knowledge sharing by professional architects in architectural firms in Ibadan, Nigeria, Information Development, August 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0266666918793927.
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