Title: Analysing the factors influencing learners' knowledge sharing behaviour in the virtual learning community of a faculty training programme

Authors: Hong Lu; Yanmei Chu; Tong Li; Qian Wang

Addresses: Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Communication, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China ' Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Communication, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China ' Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Communication, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China ' Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Communication, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China

Abstract: The biggest challenge in fostering a virtual learning community is the supply of knowledge sharing behaviour. In order to explore the knowledge sharing behaviour within the virtual learning community of faculty, this study proposed a research model based on the social cognitive theory. Faculty participants of a training programme were surveyed to test the proposed research model. The structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the data and evaluate the research model. Results showed that the research model fit the data well and helped in identifying the determinants influencing learners' knowledge sharing behaviour in a virtual learning community. Implications, limitations and future research are discussed at the end of the paper.

Keywords: knowledge sharing; virtual learning communities; outcome expectancy; faculty training programmes; social cognitive theory; SCT; self-efficacy; structural equation modelling; SEM; learner behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2013.055393

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2013 Vol.23 No.3/4, pp.251 - 266

Received: 06 Jul 2012
Accepted: 11 Sep 2012
Published online: 30 Dec 2013 *

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