Knowledge sharing and professional online communities acceptance: An integrated model

Authors

  • Mohammed Montash Al-Azhar University. PhD Researcher - Hull University
  • Ashish Dwivedi Centre for Systems Studies The University of Hull
  • Richard Vidgen The University of Hull

Keywords:

professional online communities, technology acceptance, knowledge sharing, relational capital, Egypt

Abstract

This study extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to study acceptance and use of professional online communities. Drawing upon rigorous theoretical foundation, empirical support and contextually relevant research, an integrated model was developed and applied to investigate the use of professional online communities for knowledge acquisition and for knowledge provision. This model was tested through a survey administrated to the members of eight professional unions in Egypt. The findings of this study adds to knowledge by demonstrating that content quality, system quality and members’ beliefs in their abilities to use the community system facilitate the transformation of professional online communities’ resources to performance and personal benefits and, consequently, encourage members to use the community for sharing their knowledge. Additionally, the findings revealed that members who perceived high content and system quality were more likely to show higher degree of relational capital (trust). Several important implications are presented and discussed in more detail.

Author Biographies

Mohammed Montash, Al-Azhar University. PhD Researcher - Hull University

Lecturer

Faculty of Commerce - Business Administration Al-Azhar University - Egypt

Ashish Dwivedi, Centre for Systems Studies The University of Hull

Lecturer - Centre for Systems Studies

The University of Hull- UK

A.Dwivedi@hull.ac.uk

Richard Vidgen, The University of Hull

Professor - Centre for Systems Studies

The University of Hull – UK

R.Vidgen@hull.ac.uk

Published

2015-01-25

How to Cite

Montash, M., Dwivedi, A., & Vidgen, R. (2015). Knowledge sharing and professional online communities acceptance: An integrated model. Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of the ISSS - 2014 United States, 1(1). Retrieved from https://journals.isss.org/index.php/proceedings58th/article/view/2314