Abstract:
Knowledge sharing is a vital factor for the success of organizations, mainly for the knowledge intensive
organizations such as software companies. This study is a survey-based empirical investigation which
conducted to identify current status and the existing knowledge sharing barriers in software
companies in the context of Sri Lanka. In order to provide a more comprehensive and complete
description to the related study, quantitative research method is used to conduct the survey with staff
of the development teams in selected software companies. The Theory of Planned Behaviour is applied
as the basis of this study, in order to, create the relationship between knowledge sharing behaviour,
intention and attitude for knowledge sharing. Questionnaire was designed considering individual,
organizational and technical factors based on the previous literature covering dependent variable;
attitude for knowledge sharing; and independent variables; motivation and willingness, trust, time,
power relationships, expected reciprocity, communication skills, organizational culture and structure,
leadership, reward systems, and technology. Structural equation modelling is used to analyse data, in
order to assess both measurement model and structural model. According to findings, hypothesised
associations with motivation and willingness, time, power relationships, expected reciprocity,
communication skills, organizational culture and structure, and leadership were identified to have a
significant impact on knowledge sharing attitude while, trust, reward systems, and technology depict
no significant relationship. Findings further emphasize lack of time, improper organizational
structures, power relationships, language and expected reciprocity as the main barriers in software
companies.
