To share or not to share? research knowledge sharing in higher education institutions: preliminary results

The world has witnessed that knowledge has become a valuable resource and asset in a new economy, which demands people not only to create knowledge but also to attain, apply and share knowledge effectively. Knowledge sharing is viewed as a natural activity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially in relation to its core activity, i.e. research. This study focuses on the nature of research-knowledge sharing in a university, exploring three aspects: (1) why sharing; (2) why not sharing; and (3) what and when to share. Since there is a dearth of research examining knowledge sharing in academia, a qualitative approach has been employed in order to gain in-depth understanding and insights about the desired phenomenon. This study suggests that the way research-knowledge is shared does not follow a single standard pattern. The results generate original insights into the issues and have practical implications for university academics and leaders.