Knowledge Sharing Practices and Behaviors in University Libraries: A Survey

In the world we are today knowledge which is acquired through information has become one of the essential commodity for the survival of any organization including institutions like university libraries. As has been revealed in recent knowledge management (KM)-related researches, effective knowledge sharing (KS) is a significant component of KM success. The importance of knowledge sharing in knowledge management can be interpreted as a blood circulating in the body. This study therefore took a look at knowledge sharing practices and behaviors in university libraries using selected federal universities in Nigeria as case in point. The study applied a descriptive survey design method with a sampled population of 200 staffs randomly selected from five selected federal university libraries in Nigeria. It was guided by four research questions and one null hypothesis while a four-point modified Likert scale structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics while Pearson Product Moment correlation Coefficient (PPMC) was used to test the only null hypothesis at P\u3c0.05 level of significant. The outcome of the study did show accessibility and utilization of some communication technologies in knowledge sharing in university libraries as well as non availability of modern digital technologies for the same purpose. The study further discovered that university libraries knowledge sharing practices were encouraging as the creation; dissemination, transfer and sharing of knowledge among staff were given priority while staffs’ attitude towards knowledge sharing was in the positive. In all, the result shows that there was a significant relationship between library staffs’ knowledge sharing behavior and knowledge sharing practices in university libraries. The study also found that there were factors militating against effective knowledge sharing practices in university libraries which include among other things, lack of knowledge sharing policies. In line with the findings, recommendations were made in which management of university libraries were advised to formulate policies on knowledge sharing practices so that any staff employed will embrace same and work towards that direction as this will take care of ‘not invented here syndrome’, lack of trust among staff and lack of time excuse