Examining Knowledge-sharing Behavior in a Hightech Firm based on Theory of Planned Behavior

Employees’ knowledge sharing is a key ability to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in current dynamic economic, especially in high-tech firms. Effective knowledge sharing among employees could considerably affect time, cost and quality of research and development activities in such organizations. Therefore, this paper is aimed at examining how to form knowledge-sharing behavior in a high-tech firm based on theory of planned behavior (TPB). To this end, following literature review about knowledge-sharing determinants, theory of planned behavior is explained. Then, the conceptual model and research hypotheses are discussed. A descriptive-survey methodology was conducted and a questionnaire developed for gathering data. Also, Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used to test research hypotheses. Following the analysis of data gathered from the statistical population, results show that there is a significant positive effect of attitude toward knowledge sharing, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on knowledge-
sharing intention. Additionally, research findings indicate that knowledge-sharing intention and perceived behavioral control significantly influence on knowledge-sharing behavior. Finally, based on research findings, some practical implications for knowledge management practitioners, to foster employees’ knowledge sharing, are suggested and also some suggestions are made for future works to overcome current research shortcomings.