ABSTRACT
Previous research on the factors affecting knowledge sharing has focused on the relationships between a limited number of variables. However, it is unclear how these factors interact with each other and jointly influence knowledge-sharing intentions. Drawing on social cognitive theory (SCT), this paper performs a decision tree analysis to predict the knowledge-sharing intentions of social question-and-answer (Q&A) community members based on a multitude of environmental and individual factors, including a sharing culture, motivations, and individual characteristics. Data from 1,007 users were collected, and a regression tree model was built using the R package rpart. The results show that high levels of knowledge-sharing intentions occur among those who strongly enjoyed sharing and who perceived fairness within the community. For those who had a moderate or low level of enjoyment, their willingness to share knowledge was jointly affected by the sharing culture and extrinsic motivations.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Yang Cai
Yang Cai is a PhD candidate in the field of user research at the Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, China. His research is centered on online knowledge-sharing behaviors, and he is actively involved in gamification and user experience studies in the context of online communities.
Yongyong Yang
Yongyong Yang is a PhD candidate at the Department of Psychology, School of Education, Shanghai Normal University, China. He is interested in group leadership and group followership. His research interests also include knowledge management and career adaptability.
Wendian Shi
Wendian Shi is a professor at the Department of Psychology, School of Education, Shanghai Normal University, China. His research interests include knowledge sharing on the adoption of computer-mediated technology, organizational behavior, and implicit learning in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.