Investigating the Factors Affecting the Motivation of Nurses for Sharing Knowledge Online

Abstract

Background: Considering the importance of Knowledge Sharing (KS) among nurses, this research aimed to investigate the factors influencing the motivation of nurses for sharing knowledge online. Materials and Methods: This research was a questionnaire survey. The statistical population included all 1403 nurses working in the hospitals of Hamadan, Iran, and the sample size was estimated to be 302 participants. The collection tool was a questionnaire adopted from the research by Nguyen et al., and its reliability and validity were measured and confirmed. Structural equation modeling was used to test the research hypotheses using PLS 3. Results: Of the studied nurses, 78.15% use the Internet “moderate” to “very much.” Self‑efficacy (β = 0.24, t = 5.03, p < 0.001), reputation (β = 0.54, t = 10.96, p < 0.001), and reciprocity (β = 0/09, t = 2.081, p = 0.04) had a direct and positive impact on the online KS behavior of nurses. In addition, the top management support and individual innovation capability did not have a moderating role in the effect of reciprocity, reputation, and self‑efficacy (p > 0.05) on the online KS of nurses. Conclusions: This study helps to understand that reciprocity, reputation, and self‑efficacy are the factors influencing the increase of online KS among nurses, and it is necessary to support the creation of online space for facilitating reciprocal relationships and interpersonal interactions of nurses to increase their online KS.