Knowledge Sharing in Indian Organizations

Abstract

This dissertation has focused on knowledge sharing (KS), mainly the process around KS in Indian organizations, with attentions to different type of organizations (public or private sectors) and to information technology (IT) facilitation with knowledge management system (KMS). KS process is not always supported by advance level of KM tools or IT supported KMS in all the organizations in India. Especially public sector is lagging behind in adopting such system and many private sector organizations too. However this is not because of less importance of KS in those organizations. Its importance cannot be denied generally. However sharing is hard to ensure, because knowledge is generated and initially stored within the employees. Early initiatives in KM focused on providing electronic databases, network systems, and software to encourage the distribution of knowledge but these mechanisms have proved far from satisfactory. More recent efforts have focused on socio-cognitive approaches to motivate behavior that would help in promoting KS, including factors such as teamwork, trust, shared goal, etc. KS involves a set of behaviors that aid the exchange of acquired knowledge. Therefore, organizations need to motivate their employee to improve KS within the organizations. The significance for the process around KSI and KSB, and the current situation of KMS in India are practical rationales for implementing this study. This dissertation has followed the approach of integrating different theories in one study, applying theoretical foundations of KM field. Arguments on basis of the literature review as well as the practical situation of KS in India have led to the overall research framework that explains organizational KS process. The research questions of this dissertation with regards to KS are what factors determine KSI and KSB in private and public sector organizations in India? And whether IT does or does not impact on KS process? Do KSI and KSB affect organizational performance? In order to test hypotheses of the research framework, and thus answering research questions above, this dissertation has used data