Determinants of Academics’ Knowledge Sharing Behavior in United Arab Emirates Universities

This research aims to determine the factors affecting knowledge sharing behavior among academics in United Arab Emirates universities and identify the effect of university type on academics’ behavior. The research adopted Ajzen’s amended Theory of Planned Behavior. Employing an online survey, data were collected from academics in public and private universities using a questionnaire. The model was tested using Partial Least Squares structural equation modeling. The results found a significant difference in academics’ knowledge sharing behavior between public and private universities. Results also revealed that intention is the main determinant of knowledge sharing behavior, and that attitude, subjective norms, and self-efficacy have significant influence on intention while controllability has no influence on it. The significance of this research lies in that it is one of the first to use the amended theory and the only research to address knowledge sharing behavior in higher education in the Arab World. This research provides useful basis for higher education institutions to create a knowledge sharing culture and helps academics to enhance their performance

Determinants of academics’ knowledge sharing behavior in United Arab Emirates Universities

This research aims to determine the factors affecting knowledge sharing behavior among academics in United Arab Emirates universities and identify the effect of university type on academics’ behavior. The research adopted Ajzen’s amended Theory of Planned Behavior. Employing an online survey, data were collected from academics in public and private universities using a questionnaire. The model was tested using Partial Least Squares structural equation modeling. The results found a significant difference in academics’ knowledge sharing behavior between public and private universities. Results also revealed that intention is the main determinant of knowledge sharing behavior, and that attitude, subjective norms, and self-efficacy have significant influence on intention while controllability has no influence on it. The significance of this research lies in that it is one of the first to use the amended theory and the only research to address knowledge sharing behavior in higher education in the Arab World. This research provides useful basis for higher education institutions to create a knowledge sharing culture and helps academics to enhance their performance

Determinants of knowledge sharing behaviour among academics in United Arab Emirates

The main objectives of this research are to (i) investigate the practice of knowledge sharing among academics, and (ii) examine the relationship between knowledge sharing behaviour and its predictors based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Data were collected through an online survey using a questionnaire from academics in public universities. Using SPSS and PLS-SEM, data analysis process involved (i) analysis of descriptive statistics to evaluate knowledge sharing practice, (ii) assessment of the measurement model to evaluate items reliability and validity, and (iii) assessment of the structural model to evaluate its validity, path coefficients, and test the hypotheses. The results showed a great extent of knowledge sharing practice. They proved that academics’ knowledge sharing behaviour is significantly influenced by intention, which is influenced by attitude, subjective norms, and self-efficacy. Contrary to the theory, the results showed that controllability does not influence intention

Retrieval features for online databases: common, unique, and expected

The aims of this study were to identify the retrieval features for online databases; difficulties faced by users; and retrieval features expected by users. A total of 25 databases were surveyed and 40 users were interviewed after the training sessions. Common retrieval features included Boolean operators,phrase searching, match of exact words or phrases, field specific and limit fields searches, truncation, and wildcard. Even though features are offered in many systems, their interpretation andimplementation are different. Unique features included lateral searching, density and frequency of terms, reference link, and searching via table of content. The expected features includedrelevance feedback and term weighting other than those already offered by ACM Digital Library and IEEE Xplore. Such expectations were influenced by the users’ background in ICT. Difficulties included application of the retrieval features in searching. Database providers must include the expected features, synonyms linked to terms in the thesaurus, and extensive search examples

Fulfilling information needs of new Muslims: trends and challenges

The wave of Islamic awareness is sweeping across nations and continents even though there is much sabotage and propaganda against the Faith. Muslims are now excited with this development and have responded with a corresponding rate of information provision, bringing about a proliferation of Islamic information. These information sources produced sometimes may or may not be appropriate for consumption if not addressed according to specific needs. Wilson (2000) observed that systems designers seem to be asking how people are using information instead of seeking to determine what the individual’s or organization’s information needs are. Since the concern of information needs as a discipline is within the field of librarianship he suggested the application of consumer behaviour research, marketing psychology and other disciplines that focus on the user. In line with this focus, the adoption of Wilson’s Information Behaviour Model (1981) would be appropriate in addressing issues of information needs of new Muslims. Information providers and daees would thus need to be concerned with specific needs in the course of preparing, packaging and promoting appropriate Islamic information in the course of da’wah. The objective of this study is to investige the perceived impact of information sources about Islam consulted by new Muslims (converts). In doing so, it must be coupled with an understanding of converts information needs. This study would then be able to see how far the information provided and consulted has fulfilled the consumer’s needs. In realizing an ideal information provision in tandem with current trends librarians must work together with systems personnel as well as Islamic scholars to ensure that information provided is correct, suitable and appealing to new Muslims. This is not a straight forward effort but one that would face a number of challenges. Cooperation and networking efforts amongst relevant organisations and authorities are also important elements in the fruition of this mission