Prioritizing Different Types of Barriers to Knowledge Sharing: A Cause-and-Effect Analysis of the Views of Academics in Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to identify different types of barriers to knowledge sharing among academics in Turkey and to investigate the relationships between the barriers and their degree of impact. Accordingly, it implements qualitative and quantitative approaches in two phases. In the first phase, the knowledge sharing barriers are identified through the literature review and categorized under organizational, individual, and technological dimensions via expert opinions so as to determine current barriers for the Turkish academics. In the second phase, the identified barriers and their interactions are more deeply investigated by using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Method (DEMATEL) methods. The findings of the study reveal that organizational and individual knowledge sharing barriers have a stronger effect than technological barriers. According to ISM and DEMATEL findings, “corporate structure”, “power relations"”, and “supportive corporate culture” are the driving forces for the knowledge sharing among the academics in Turkey. This study provides a hierarchical and causal relation model that may enable both performing the actions needed to promote academic knowledge sharing and advancing university performances. The findings offer useful insights on what the key barriers are and how these interrelate, so that they can be overcome. Thus, the findings hold significant potential to contribute both to the academic field and to the policymakers who are in charge of taking regulatory actions.