English abstract
Knowledge sharing is defined as the process through which knowledge is communicated to other individuals in order to improve work performance, learn from previous experiences and enhance decision-making for both individuals and organizations. Knowledge nowadays is considered to be an important asset in organizations. With the transformation towards knowledge and the digital economy, knowledge sharing among ICT knowledge workers in government sector organizations is becoming ever more critical, but it is challenging at the same time.
Thus, ICT knowledge workers in the government sector may not share knowledge due to certain risks such as their fear of losing their autonomy and losing power. In order to promote knowledge sharing among ICT knowledge workers in the government sector, knowledge awareness should be raised in terms of (1) identifying the knowledge-sharing risks (potential loss) of individuals and their organizations which may consequently inhibit knowledge workers' knowledge-sharing behaviours and (2) identifying the controls (at the levels of process, technology and people) that are needed to mitigate those risks. Since many studies have been focusing on the private sector, this study will fill this gap by focusing on knowledge risks and controls in the government sector. This qualitative study combines risks and controls.
It aims to identify key knowledge-sharing risks in the government sector from an ICT knowledge worker's perspective and identify key controls that mitigate knowledge-sharing risks through a Delphi study and follow-up interview approach. The main findings of this study are the identification of top risks and the controls of knowledge sharing in the government sector. As a result of the analysis and discussions, ten top risks are identified and, along with this, top controls are also identified. It is clear that implementing controls on people and processes is most important, and the focus must be on them, especially in the government sector.
Finally, this study could serve as a foundation for other studies since it is one of the few studies that has identified the risks and controls of knowledge sharing, and the first study of the government sector, specifically in Oman
