Knowledge sharing behaviour pattern analysis of academic librarians in Nigeria

The changing research and academic environment has provided platforms for new competency expectation from librarians such as knowledge sharing. Knowledge is a vital and intangible asset that needs to be shared in order to tap into employee’s wealth of untapped experience and knowledge (tacit knowledge) thus creating and sustaining competitive advantage. This study therefore investigated knowledge sharing behaviour pattern analysis of academic librarians in selected academic libraries in Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design of the ex-post facto type was adopted for the study. Total enumeration was used to capture one hundred and seventeen (117) academic librarians in selected academic libraries in Nigeria using questionnaire as the research instrument. All questionnaire administered were returned and found useful for the study. The findings revealed that librarians primarily share knowledge using face-to-face interaction, mobile phones, emails and newsletters. Other avenues are E-mail, memo, web forum, bulletin boards and discussion boards. The study also found out that knowledge sharing was beneficial because it enhances innovation (110 (94%)), efficiency and effectiveness (117 (100%)) and brings about emotional relief (94 (80.3%)). The study thus concludes that though librarians are aware of knowledge sharing; it is yet to be formally adopted in libraries as a means of generating and creating new ideas. The study therefore recommends that it is not enough for librarians to share the outcome of seminar and conference participation; rather library management should make it a routine for open interaction between librarians either within the library or outside the library in order to generate and tap into librarians’ innovative ideas that will help shape and reshape the library