Michael Dzigbordi Dzandu

Knowledge Sharing Idiosyncrasies of University Students in Ghana

This study explored the factors affecting knowledge sharing behaviour of students in a higher institution of learning. Using a model derived from the Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Reason Action, six hypotheses were tested from a cross-sectional data collected from 371 undergraduate students on a 4-year degree programme in the University of Ghana. Five out of the six hypotheses were supported. The results showed that the knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) of the students was significantly related to five of the human and environmental factors (F=639.9, df=5, 290, p<0.05) with a co-efficient of variation of R 2 =0.917 (91.7%). The knowledge sharing behavior of the students was, however, not significantly dependent on their personal characteristics. The study makes a case for increased attention in understanding the human and environmental factors of knowledge sharing since knowledge sharing is largely a people activity shaped by culture.

The effects of demographic variables on knowledge sharing

Purpose – This study aims to find the role of demographic variables in knowledge sharing among teachers in senior high schools. The relationship between demographic variables and knowledge sharing has not been clearly established in the existing literature. Design/methodology/approach – The survey research design was used as a methodology for the study. The participants of the study were senior high school teachers. These participants were selected using convenience sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Data were anaylsed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Findings – The study found that male teachers share more of their knowledge than female teachers. Additionally, first degree holders were found to share their knowledge more than Higher National Diploma holders. Originality/value – This study has established the relationship between demographic variables and knowledge sharing among senior high school teachers in Ghana.

Knowledge sharing among teachers: the role of the Big Five Personality traits

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of personality traits on knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour among teachers. Design/methodology/approach - The study employed a survey research. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample of 300 respondents out of which 247 was used in the final analysis. Data was analysed using hierarchical regression. Findings - The results indicate that the Big Five Personality traits have effects on knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour of teachers. With the exception of conscientiousness trait, all the traits used in this study cause a significant change in the variations of the knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour of the teachers. Research limitations/implications - The main limitation of the study is the use of the convenient sampling technique in choosing the subject; however, this was because there was no sampling frame, making it difficult to use probability-sampling technique. Originality value - This study contributes to the growing literature on the relationships among personality traits and knowledge sharing attitude and behaviour.

Knowledge sharing among employees in Ghanaian Industries The role of transformational leadership style and communal organizational culture

This study investigates the effects of organizational culture (OC) and transformational leadership (TL) style on knowledge sharing (KS). The presence of transformational culture and communal culture in industries in Ghana was ascertained. Survey research design was used. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of the study. Questionnaire was used for the data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The findings show presence of communal culture in industries in Ghana. Again, it was found that OC is a significant predictor of KS. The study also found that leadership in industries lack TL qualities. Furthermore, TL insignificantly contributes to KS.

Social media adoption among university students: the role of gender, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use

Social media adoption has been phenomenal especially among the youth. This study seeks to examine the effect of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and gender on social media adoption. The survey research design was used in this study to provide a basis for the generalisation of the findings of this study. The respondents were mostly youth and were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data was analysed using multiple regression. The findings indicate that, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use significantly predict social media adoption. However, there is no significant difference between males and females on adoption of social media. The implications of the results for the youth, teachers, technologist, marketers and developers of information systems have been put forward.

Dialogic communication on universities in Ghana libraries’ websites

– This study aims to ascertain the contents of universities in Ghana libraries’ websites and find the dialogic potential of the websites. , – A qualitative content analysis technique was used. The sample includes the libraries’ websites of universities in Ghana that have received presidential charter. A checklist was developed to assess the content of the websites. In assessing the dialogic potential of the websites, Kent and Taylors’ framework was used. , – Findings from the study show that Ghanaian universities libraries’ websites are providing only static information about libraries and their services. The libraries’ websites are deficient in providing vital information on newspapers, print journals, frequently asked questions and date of post. Again, findings of the study indicate that universities in Ghana libraries’ websites have poor dialogic features. , – There is no study investigating the dialogic potential of universities in Ghana libraries’ websites.

An investigation into knowledge acquisition idiosyncrasies in Ghanaian universities

Purpose – This paper aims to fill the research and knowledge gap in knowledge management studies in Ghana. Knowledge acquisition is one of the unexploited areas in knowledge management literature, especially in the Ghanaian context. This study tries to ascertain the factors affecting knowledge acquisition in Ghanaian universities. Design/methodology/approach – The study used the quantitative approach. The cross-sectional survey was adopted as the research design. A questionnaire consisting of Likert scale questions was used to collect data from the respondents. The items and the constructs were derived from the extant literature. The questionnaire was sent to 350 respondents, out of which 250 were returned fully completed. Data were quantitatively analysed using descriptive methods and factor analysis. Findings – This study provides empirical evidence about the factors affecting knowledge acquisition in Ghanaian universities. Findings from the study show that programme content, lecturers’ competence, stud...