Knowledge sharing behaviors in e-learning community: Exploring the role of academic self-efficacy and sense of community

The purpose of this study was to explore the structural relationships between knowledge sharing behaviors (KSB), academic self-efficacy (ASE) and sense of community (SoC) of university students in e-learning community. The study was carried out with students who joined Facebook learning community that was created for the Computing I course which was taught with blended learning method. Data were collected from 316 university students by utilizing three self-report instruments: KSB scale, ASE scale (sub-scales: `social status', `cognitive applications' and `technical skills') and classroom community (CC) scale (sub-scales: `connectedness' and `learning'). The path analyses with structural equation modeling (SEM) further verified that students' KSB were related to their ASE and SoC in e-learning community. The results of the study revealed that the ASE and SoC of the students positively affect their KSB. And in terms of sub-scales, the connectedness to the community, learning perception in the community, the self efficacy of the students on the cognitive applications in the courses and their social status in the community positively affect KSB. However, students' self-efficacy perceptions on their technical skills affect KSB positively but its affect size was smaller compared to other sub-scales: Further research studies and implications are presented and discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved