Knowledge sharing barriers at administrative level of Undergraduate programs

Abstract

It is widely recognized that knowledge is the critical asset to individual as well as organization to succeed in the increasingly competitive environment. The study of knowledge sharing is dominated by those focusing on knowledge sharing activity within the business organizations. However, the issue of knowledge sharing is equally important for a knowledge-based institution, such as a university, where knowledge production, distribution and application are ingrained in the institution. Though there is no direct way to measure the outcome of knowledge sharing in knowledge institutions, the impact of knowledge sharing could be larger than those created by the business organizations. In this paper we explore the knowledge sharing barriers in the administrative processes of the undergraduate educational programs on an evidence of the Bachelor in Management program at one Business school. The study employs qualitative method, based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with the administrative personnel involved in the program's management. On the basis of the interview results, recommendations regarding improving the program's knowledge sharing environment are given, as well as the methodology of further quantitative research is developed, planning to expand the research to a statistically significant sample of educational programs at University as well as other educational institutions.