Linking knowledge sharing, competency development, and affective commitment: evidence from Indian Gen Y employees

• Published in: Journal of knowledge management Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 885 - 906
• Main Authors: Naim, Mohammad Faraz, Lenka, Usha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kempston Emerald Publishing Limited 01.01.2017; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Baby boomers; Competitive advantage; Employee attitude; Employees; Explicit knowledge; Generation X; Knowledge economy; Knowledge management; Knowledge sharing; Literature reviews; Millennials; Organizations; Performance management; Polls & surveys; Social interaction; Software development; Software industry; Tacit knowledge; Workforce; India; Knowledge sharing; Affective commitment; Millennials; Gen Y; Competency; India
• ISSN: 1367-3270; 1758-7484
• DOI: 10.1108/JKM-08-2016-0334

Purpose The present study aims to explore knowledge sharing to evoke affective commitment of Gen Y employees through competency development. Design/methodology/approach The research uses cross-sectional survey to collect primary data. A questionnaire is developed based on extensive review of literature. A sample was obtained from Gen Y employees (born between 1980 and 2000) working in software organizations in India. In total, 582 completely filled, usable questionnaires were obtained. Findings Results indicate that knowledge sharing has a positive effect on competency development of Gen Y employees, which in turn, positively predicts affective commitment. Furthermore, this would result in the enhancement of employee competencies and eventually, the generation of affective commitment. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to the software development professionals working in Indian organizations Therefore, researchers should test the research model further in other industries preferably in a different country. Practical implications The more knowledge assets are shared in the organization, the higher the enhancement of employee competencies will become. To evoke emotional attachment of Gen Y employees, an organization must implement learning and development interventions Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge management literature, particularly knowledge sharing by exploring its possible linkage with employee attitudinal outcomes through empirical data. This also happens to be an empirical study to investigate Gen Y employees’ commitment in Indian context.