Employee Knowledge Sharing Behaviour: The Role of Workplace Cyber Incivility and Personality Traits

Authors

  • PRD Wijesinghe Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Computing, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
  • RPS Kathriarachchi Department of Information Technology General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4837-4218

Keywords:

workplace cyber incivility, knowledge sharing behaviour, online mistreatment, personality traits

Abstract

Knowledge sharing behaviour can achieve a greater level of innovation and creativity. Employees who were victimized with computer-mediated workplace incivility may hinder knowledge with rational justifications. The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of workplace cyber incivility on knowledge sharing behaviour. Additionally, this study identifies the mediating effect of personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness to experience) on the relationship between them. This study is predominantly designed as a quantitative study based on the positivistic paradigm. Data were obtained from an online self-administered questionnaire from permanent employees in software development organizations in Sri Lanka and 251 responses were analysed using correlation and SEM bootstrapping. The findings of the study demonstrated a negative association between cyber incivility and KSB (r = - 467) consistent with previous studies; KSB positively associated with  extraversion (r = 0.937), agreeableness (r = 219), conscientiousness (r = 219), neuroticism (r = 228), openness (r = 243)  Succintly, this study draws attention towards the workplace cyber incivility victims who may negatively respond to knowledge sharing behaviour, creating hostile work environments. The theory of trait activation can be used to explain the individual differences of said relationship. We have also proposed partial mediation of personality traits (extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) on workplace cyber incivility and knowledge sharing behaviour. The findings of the study have several theoretical and practical implications. It advocates the necessity to address workplace cyber incivility to ensure employee knowledge sharing behaviour.

Link: Full Text , IR@KDU

Author Biography

RPS Kathriarachchi, Department of Information Technology General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

RPS Kathriarachchi obtained his BSc (Hons) in computer networks from the University of Wolverhampton UK and his master’s degree in MIT in the same University. He is also a CISCO certified network associate and having more than 18 years of IT and IS systems. His current research interests include the Internet of things, Machine Learning, and computer network & Security. He has produced over ten peer-reviewed publications under his name.

Published

01/10/2022

How to Cite

Wijesinghe, P., & RPS Kathriarachchi. (2022). Employee Knowledge Sharing Behaviour: The Role of Workplace Cyber Incivility and Personality Traits. International Journal of Research in Computing, 1(1). Retrieved from https://ijrcom.org/index.php/ijrc/article/view/25