Determinants of Knowledge Sharing Behaviour on Social Networking Sites among Sri Lankan Management Undergraduates

Abstract

Knowledge-Sharing Behaviour (KSB) is a crucial behavioural component that undergraduates should adopt to enhance their competitiveness and career success. Thus, fostering KSB culture through Social Networking Sites (SNSs) among public university undergraduates in the management and commerce domains in Sri Lanka is notably important. Existing research on the key determinants of knowledge-sharing behaviour on social networking sites among undergraduates in management and commerce in Sri Lankan public universities is an understudied field that needs to be thoroughly described in order to improve academic performance and the body of existing literature. The current research study aims to examine the six key determinants under three sub categories; individual (self-efficacy and online identity), social (instructor-student interaction and student-content interaction), and technological factors (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of ICT) on KSB among management undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected through survey strategy from 366 management undergraduates in Sri Lankan public universities in Western Province by applying simple random sampling. Linear regression analysis, performed with SPSS version 25, revealed that all examined determinants of individual, social, and technological sub-factors significantly affect students’ willingness and ability to share knowledge on these SNSs platforms. The findings offer valuable insights for improving student-centered learning strategies in higher education, supporting an environment that promotes an active knowledge–sharing culture, and contributing to the broader field of knowledge management by highlighting the importance of student knowledge sharing within academic institutions. The implications of this study are relevant to educators, university administration, and knowledge management practitioners seeking to foster more collaborative academic communities. The findings of the study will help in extending knowledge-sharing research to the underexplored context of management undergraduates on SNSs to foster the positive attitude of knowledge sharing culture in Sri Lanka.