Knowledge sharing in NGOs: the importance of the human dimension
ISSN: 0368-492X
Article publication date: 11 October 2019
Issue publication date: 21 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show the way the human dimension influences the adoption and usage of the knowledge transfer in non-profit organizations (NGOs). Previous research on the topic focused mainly on the organizational and technical aspects (i.e. organizational culture, processes and technology), lacking a consistent approach of the human dimension. Therefore, this paper goes beyond the multiplying effect of the organizational and technical factors in the development of knowledge transfer and investigates the impact of human beliefs and actions on the practices of knowledge sharing in the NGOs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper investigates the above-mentioned topics of the importance of the human aspect in the knowledge sharing adoption, and development of the NGOs by use of a cross-cultural study based on a questionnaire that conducted in Romania and Greece.
Findings
This study emphasizes the importance of the human dimension in the practice of the knowledge sharing of the non-profit organizations, proving that the adoption of such practices depends on the beliefs of the NGOs employees on the topic, and on their degree of exposure to international activities.
Practical implications
The results of this study provide valuable incentive to the managers of the non-profit organizations to pay more attention to the beliefs and values of their employees in adopting knowledge sharing practices.
Originality/value
This paper is valuable to the academics and practitioners in search of reliable data on the impact of the human dimension on the adoption and usage of knowledge management in the Third Sector, filling an existing gap of the literature on the topic.
Keywords
Citation
Zbuchea, A., Ivan, L., Petropoulos, S. and Pinzaru, F. (2020), "Knowledge sharing in NGOs: the importance of the human dimension", Kybernetes, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 182-199. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-04-2019-0260
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited