Exploring the effects of task characteristics on knowledge sharing in libraries

摘要

Purpose - Knowledge sharing intention and group identity are the keys to improving library servicernquality. The purpose of this paper is to integrate work design questionnaire and affective eventsrntheory to understand the relationship between task characteristics and knowledge sharing quality inrnthe context of the library.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Data collected from 204 professional librarians in variousrnlibraries provide strong support for the proposed research model. A structural equation modellingrnanalysis was performed using LISREL. The adequacy of the measurement model was evaluated onrnthe criteria of reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity.rnFindings - The paper shows that sharing intention and group identity have important effects onrnknowledge quality. Task characteristics, such as work methods, task variety and social feedback,rnhave strong effects on group identity.rnResearch limitations/implications - The findings imply that only work methods and socialrnfeedback have strong effects on knowledge sharing intention.rnOriginality/value - The motivation to share librarians' knowledge is critical to successful libraryrnservice. The paper provides evidence that knowledge quality is built through work methods, taskrnvariety and social feedback. Implications for theory and practice and suggestions for future researchrnare discussed.