ANTECEDENTS AND OUTCOMES OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Knowledge is widely recognized as one of the most valuable assets in today's dynamic global business environment. Knowledge Sharing is essential for improving the performance of SMEs of Pakistan. Hence this study explores the influence of antecedents of knowledge sharing on employee performance of IT related SMEs of Pakistan. The systematic literature review is performed on the antecedents of knowledge sharing from the year (2011-2023). This study uses the knowledge-based view theory to explain the whole research model. Moreover, this study explores the moderating role of clan culture and knowledge-oriented leadership. A quantitative approach is employed to collect data. Data is gathered using the non-probability convenience sampling method from the IT professionals working in the IT related SMEs of Pakistan. G*Power software is used to compute the sample size, the total 451 valid responses are used for the data analysis, and SPSS and PLS tools is be used to analyze the data. The findings of this research indicate that all the antecedents show positive and significant relation with knowledge sharing, and KS also have positive and significant relation with employee performance. Clan Culture does not moderate the relation except between motivation and KS, self-efficacy and KS and interpersonal trust and knowledge sharing. Knowledge-oriented leadership also does not moderate the relation except the moderating relation between motivation and Knowledge sharing, interpersonal trust and knowledge sharing and self-efficacy and knowledge sharing. By putting forth elements based on an in-depth analysis of knowledge sharing literature, the suggested conceptual model expands the theoretical underpinnings of knowledge sharing. The study contributes to the body of information regarding knowledge sharing and performance of employees working in IT related SMEs of Pakistan. This research's proposed is novel to investigate. This model has never been explored in previous research. The moderators, clan culture and knowledge-oriented leadership are new to study among these variables. There is lack of studies present on SMEs of Pakistan, especially the IT related SMEs of Pakistan so, this study contributes to fill this gap.