FACTORS INFLUENCING KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of the factors influencing participants' knowledge sharing in an electronic community of practice. The study builds on a theoretical framework derived from the theories of social capital and social exchange. A model of knowledge sharing in an electronic community of practice has been developed based on this framework. The model that considers the factors influencing the participants' intention to share their knowledge and their knowledge contribution has been empirically tested using a survey in the Financial Management Community of Practice in the USAF Portal. The results show that significant predictors of intention to share knowledge were self-rated expertise, commitment and loss of knowledge power. Tenure in the field and reciprocity were the two significant predictors of knowledge contribution.