Survey on Factors Affecting University-Industry Knowledge Sharing Practices: The Case of Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine

Knowledge is an asset for organizations that brings competitive advantage if it is created, acquired, shared and applied properly. Knowledge sharing is a process that may take place across individuals as well as groups, departments and organizations to bring organizational competitiveness. Although knowledge sharing has significant importance for organizational competitiveness, the knowledge sharing process might be very complex due to different factors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess factors that affect university-industry knowledge sharing practices taking Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine (AAU-CVM) as a specific case. A cross sectional study design was applied to conduct the study during December, 2018 to May, 2018 and to select study participants simple random sampling was used. The source population consists of academic staff working in Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine. Study subjects those who consent to participate on the study were included using simple random sampling technique. The sample size required was calculated using Krejcie and Morgan sample determination table. Accordingly, from a total population of 80 academic staff in the college, 66 respondents were selected. The result [1] of the study revealed that individual factors willingness (correlation coefficient=.581), trust (.612), motivation to share knowledge (correlation coefficient =.545) and awareness of KS as duties (correlation coefficient =.513); organizational factors (periodic plan for sharing knowledge (correlation coefficient =.346); and technological factors availability of up-to-date ICT infrastructure(correlation coefficient =.331) and updated website for sharing knowledge(correlation coefficient =.443) were identified as having significant impact on knowledge sharing practices. Thus, college of veterinary medicine should work on these identified significant knowledge sharing factors to get the most out of knowledge sharing with industry stakeholders.