Critical factors impacting knowledge sharing among R&D organisations

Abstract

This research explores factors affecting the level of trust impacting knowledge sharing (service) among R&D organisations. These factors are investigated in order to gauge the gap between expected importance and perceived performance rating of trust factors impacting knowledge sharing. The research presents results of a survey comprising eighteen R&D organisations. The research identifies the critical gap using three types of tests; the paired-samples t-test, the weighted mean gap analysis method and the unweighted importance-performance analysis method. Data analysis recognises six factors with critical gaps affecting knowledge sharing which can be interpreted as follows: R&D organisations perceived that their partners were slow in response to requests and orders, reluctant in customising the products and services, unpredictable in their behaviour, below the expectation in regards to performance level and, consequently, and they failed to provide products/service in timely fashion. There was also need to have well defined agreements.