COIT20248 Information System Analysis and Design Proof Reading Service

Analysis of Information

Purpose

The article analyses various factors that support and hinder the sharing behavior in the virtual communities from both the personal and environmental perspective. Social cognitive theory model has been used to analyze the knowledge sharing behaviors and includes exploring knowledge sharing self-efficacy an outcome expectations for personal influences and environmental influences (Hsu et al., 2007). The study also investigates the element of trust and it`s direct impact on individuals when it comes to sharing knowledge management. The model has been well evaluated with structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis has been applied to test the empirical data and if it aligns with the proposed model.

Audience

The audience is the virtual communities (VCs). Few communities have been successful in creating and motivating members to continue sharing knowledge despite the popularity of virtual communities (VCs). Internet and modern technology have made knowledge sharing possible between the professional virtual communities (Bock & Kim, 2002). This knowledge has been applied to resolve problems at work. According to (Chiu, et al., 2006) VCs is a cyberspace encamped and supported by information technology. Participants of this group can interact and generate specific domain knowledge allowing participants to perform common functions and build upon that knowledge for proper decision-making. The biggest challenge in fostering VCs has been the willingness to share information with other members

Subject

Examine factors that support and those that hinder knowledge sharing in the virtual communities and identify the relationship between trust, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations. The biggest challenge in fostering VCs has been the willingness to share information with other members. Two factors arise a personal recognition, which is normally based on self-efficacy and outcome expectations that are normally based on influence from social arena. According to (Hsu et al., 2007), identifying the personal cognitions and relations existing between members` knowledge sharing behavior in VCs would help provide insightful information on how to insight knowledge sharing among VCs. The article base its research on the side of the social cognitive theory (SCT). The theory holds that an individual will take an action that has personal cognition in the social environment.

Sources

1. Bock, G. W., & Kim, Y. G. (2002). Breaking the myths of rewards: An exploratory study of attitudes about knowledge sharing. Information Resources Management Journal (IRMJ), 15(2), 14-21.
2. Chiu, C. M., Hsu, M. H., & Wang, E. T. (2006). Understanding knowledge sharing in virtual communities: An integration of social capital and social cognitive theories. Decision support systems, 42(3), 1872-1888.
3. Hsu, M. H., Ju, T. L., Yen, C. H., & Chang, C. M. (2007). Knowledge sharing behavior in virtual communities: The relationship between trust, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations. International journal of human-computer studies, 65(2), 153-169.
4. Ismail Al-Alawi, A., Yousif Al-Marzooqi, N., & Fraidoon Mohammed, Y. (2007). Organizational culture and knowledge sharing: critical success factors. Journal of knowledge management, 11(2), 22-42.

Primary details

Thesis

Knowledge management incorporates the idea of storing, sharing and use the information to improve the performance of the organization. A crucial element integrated into the knowledge management initiatives is the ability to exchange knowledge between employees. An effective incentive mechanism should be shared among the members to encourage and enhance sharing willingness. Further, setting up norms and build a personal sere system that will improve the attractiveness and reduce free riding behaviors that may exist in the knowledge sharing process.

Evidence

The findings indicate that member's altruism cannot predict knowledge sharing behaviors. Willingness to share information by the members is the most crucial factor on virtual community knowledge sharing behaviors compared with trust, altruism, and reciprocity (Hsu et al., 2007). Results indicate that self-efficacy has both direct and indirect impact on knowledge sharing behavior thus plays a crucial part in the process of sharing knowledge. The personal outcome has an influence on knowledge sharing behavior. Findings by Bock and Kim (2002) put emphasizes that the value of the social exchange is dependent on the ability to maintain the reputation and long-term relationship. People, therefore, share their knowledge if the benefits outweigh the expenses from the knowledge sharing behavior.

Limits

Despite the fact the study has offered valuable insights, it has various limitations. For instance, the research did not consider the community even though various community aspects have been explored in the study. As a result, different professional properties might have been overlooked. In addition, members are not distinguished on the basis of time spent as it trust is relative to the time factor.

Points of view

Few communities have been successful in creating and motivating members to continue sharing knowledge despite the popularity of virtual communities (VCs). Internet and modern technology have made knowledge sharing possible between the professional virtual communities (Bock & Kim, 2002). This knowledge has been applied to resolve problems at work. According to (Chiu, et al., 2006) VCs is a cyberspace encamped and supported by information technology. Participants of this group can interact and generate specific domain knowledge allowing participants to perform common functions and build upon that knowledge for proper decision-making

Presentation and Argumentation

Concepts

Identifying the personal cognitions and relations existing between members` knowledge sharing behavior in VCs would help provide insightful information on how to insight knowledge sharing among VCs. social cognitive theory (SCT) is used to prove the idea that an individual will take an action that has personal cognition in the social environment. The findings indicate that member's altruism cannot predict knowledge sharing behaviors. Knowledge sharing process is highly dependent on the willingness of individuals to share the information.

Use of Evidence

The source uses knowledge sharing behavior on the internet, uses a structural equation, modeling method and proposing, and uses a social exchange theory. Social exchange theory has been applied to explain the willingness to share, trust, and altruism and how these factors influence the sharing behavior in virtual communities. The study by (Hsu, et al., 2007) uses an empirical data is used to integrate the social exchange theory and structural equation modeling methods for analyzing important factors that influence members' hiring capability and behaviors in virtual communities.

Evaluation

Personal Reaction

The study explores on environmental and personal factors on the impact on knowledge sharing impact. It is clear that VCs are influenced by environmental and personal factors. I, therefore, suggest that in the future, there should be a longitudinal survey. The survey will investigate the relationship between various determinant factors. Trust should also be explored as a multilevel construct and there should be more information on how they influence the need, age sharing behavior.

The strength of the case

The biggest challenge in fostering VCs has been the willingness to share information with other members. Two factors arise a personal recognition, which is normally based on self-efficacy and outcome expectations that are normally based on influence from social arena. According to (Hsu et al., 2007), identifying the personal cognitions and relations existing between members` knowledge sharing behavior in VCs would help provide insightful information on how to insight knowledge sharing among VCs. The article basis its research on the side of the social cognitive theory (SCT). The theory holds that an individual will take an action that has personal cognition in the social environment.

Evaluation

The source uses knowledge sharing behavior on the internet, uses a structural equation, modeling method and proposing, and uses a social exchange theory. Social exchange theory has been applied to explain the willingness to share, trust, and altruism and how these factors influence the sharing behavior in virtual communities. The study by (Hsu, et al., 2007) uses an empirical data is used to integrate the social exchange theory and structural equation modeling methods for analyzing important factors that influence members' hiring capability and behaviors in virtual communities.

Quality

The article is of good quality as the author manages to use social cognitive theory to explore knowledge sharing behaviors. The author has also successfully explored knowledge sharing self-efficacy an outcome expectations for personal influences and environmental influences. The authors also have used various structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis that has been applied to test the empirical data.

Other

Prior research has identified other factors that hinder knowledge sharing such as cost and benefits, incentives and management championship (Ismail et al., 2007). This concept, therefore, means individuals behavior for knowledge sharing is dependent on personal characteristics and the environment in which they are in. The article by (Hsu et al., 2007) is, therefore, a crucial scholarly article that proves that an effective incentive mechanism should be shared among the members to encourage and enhance sharing willingness.

Conclusions

Individuals behavior for knowledge sharing is dependent on personal characteristics and the environment in which they are in. In addition, an effective incentive mechanism should be shared among the members to encourage and enhance sharing willingness. People share their knowledge if the benefits outweigh the expenses from knowledge sharing organizational behaviour.