Investigating knowledge sharing behaviour on virtual community members: integration of technological, individual and contextual factors

Abstract

Knowledge contributing behaviour as well as knowledge collecting behaviour is essential and necessary in optimising knowledge sharing behaviour. By integrating social cognitive theory (SCT) model and IS success model theory, this research identified and analysed three dimensions of influential factors of knowledge sharing behaviour, namely individual factors, technological factors and contextual factors. Data were collected from virtual community members of information technology in Indonesia and subsequently analysed by using partial least squares (PLS) method. The result showed that the information quality, the norm of reciprocity, the expectation outcomes, the enjoyment in helping others and the interpersonal trust have significant influence in knowledge sharing behaviour. In addition, the result also concluded that knowledge contributing behaviour and knowledge utilisation are particularly important for community promotion activities.