Causal model for predicting knowledge sharing via ICTs

Research has identified numerous constructs impacting employees’ use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the purposes of knowledge seeking and knowledge contributing. Presently, there is a significant gap in the literature that examines factors that contribute to the most commonly accepted barriers to knowledge sharing and how these factors impact organizational knowledge management practices. This research examines three knowledge sharing barriers (lack of time, poor communications skills, and lack of trust) and proposes three shared contributing factors among them (role conflict, role ambiguity, and locus of control) and a moderator (ICT). A theoretical model is presented to explain the causal relationships between the contributors and ICT users’ knowledge seeking and knowledge contributing behaviors.