Identifying and Prioritizing Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing in Software Companies

Abstract

Purpose

Knowledge sharing plays a pivotal role in the success of software organizations. Recognizing the significance of knowledge sharing and the extensive research conducted in this domain, this study aims to identify and prioritize the factors influencing knowledge sharing in software organizations. Identifying and prioritizing these factors can equip experts and stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the key components of knowledge sharing, fostering enhanced teamwork, learning, and team spirit, ultimately leading to increased productivity. This research objective encompasses identifying knowledge-sharing factors in software companies through a comprehensive literature review, prioritizing them based on expert opinions, and employing a multi-criteria decision-making approach.

Method

The present research was conducted using a mixed methodology of quantitative nature and applied orientation. In this study, the Delphi fuzzy method and Codeas were employed for data analysis. Due to the skills required for the questionnaire, were obtained from a review of reputable international and domestic articles in the fields of information science and knowledge management, information and communication technologies, as well as interviews with information and knowledge science experts, managers, and senior IT professionals, both expert survey and prioritization questionnaires have desirable validity. Additionally, due to the appropriate sample size selection and screening of factors influencing knowledge sharing, the prioritization questionnaire demonstrated reliability. The sample size in this study was 10, which is an acceptable number for expert-oriented methods with a judgmental nature.

In the present study, the fuzzy Delphi method was used to screen the factors influencing knowledge sharing in software companies. In this method, an initial list of factors affecting knowledge sharing was prepared based on the literature review and expert opinions. These factors were then presented to the experts, and their opinions regarding the importance of each factor were collected. Finally, the factors that exceeded a certain threshold of importance were selected for the next analysis stage.

Furthermore, the Codeas method was used to rank the factors influencing knowledge sharing in software companies. In this method, the factors that were selected in the previous stage were evaluated using a fuzzy numerical spectrum. Subsequently, these evaluations were processed using the Codeas method to identify the key factors influencing knowledge sharing in software companies.

Results

In the first stage, 60 factors were identified and screened using the fuzzy Delphi method. In this stage, 13 key factors were extracted and prioritized using the Codeas method. The final factors, in order, are trust, motivation, knowledge power mindset, professional competence, and organizational culture. Additionally, self-confidence, knowledge security, organizational factors, concerns about individuals' incorrect perception of their own knowledge, knowledge complexity, knowledge presence and identification, limited access to knowledge, and organizational support are also influential in knowledge sharing in software organizations.

Conclusions

Knowledge sharing in software organizations depends on various factors, including trust among employees, employee motivation, knowledge power mindset, professional competence of employees, and organizational culture. Software organizations can increase trust among employees by creating opportunities for interaction and collaboration, encouraging cooperation, and fostering a respectful and collaborative environment. Additionally, employee motivation can be strengthened by demonstrating the value of knowledge sharing and providing incentives for it, while promoting a knowledge power mindset can be achieved through training on the importance of knowledge and encouraging its use for performance improvement, learning promotion, and personal growth. Enhancing the professional competence of employees can be accomplished through providing training and professional development, encouraging the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and creating learning opportunities. Lastly, developing an organizational culture that highlights the value of knowledge sharing, encourages and rewards it, creates opportunities for interaction and collaboration, and utilizes knowledge management technologies is feasible. These strategies can help software organizations improve knowledge sharing and reap its benefits.