Abstract
Purpose: This study focused on identifying positive and negative factors that can affect knowledge sharing (KS) in seven private university libraries in Osun State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The study adopted a survey design. Data were collected through questionnaire from 74 library personnel across the seven libraries through a total enumeration method. 62 sets of questionnaire were duly completed and used for analysis. Frequency counts and percentage calculation were used to analysed the collected data.
Findings: The study revealed that organisational factors namely: organisational commitment (100%); staff motivations/ welfare (98.4%); and leadership/management style (98.4%) adopted by the libraries were the three most important positive factors influencing KS practices among the respondents. The findings also revealed that individual factors were the major negative factors that inhibit KS practices: fear of stealing one’s ideas (100%); unwillingness to share knowledge; fear of other employees taking credit for one’s idea (98.4%); and lack of trust among employees (96.8%).
Recommendations: The study recommended that library management should create an enabling and healthy work environment where employees feel safe and can trust each other; encourage KS activities by rewarding or motivating such practices; and library personnel should be trained on the use of contemporary KS tools.
Originality: The findings of the study are imperative for stakeholders to know what to do, in term of formulating policies that can promote knowledge sharing practices for enhancing library development.