The current state of knowledge sharing and academic communication in Research

This section will present the knowledge sharing process as well as communication manners of academic researchers. The data collection mainly gets from in depth interviews. First part is the formal flows, second part is informal flows, and the last part is perceptions of academic researchers about knowledge sharing

1.1 Formal flows

Table 4.2 Coding of knowledge formal flows

Theme Category Key channels

1.Knowledge sharing

1.1 Formal flows 1.1.1 Conference

1.1.2 Discuss (face to face) 1.1.3 Formal meeting

1.1.1 Conference

All of participants proposed that their knowledge would increase through attending the conferences or workshops. They feel very interesting and helpful from these activities.

For example, one researcher expressed ideal

I have attended conference biannually. These chances offer a lot of benefit. Firstly, it was easy to implement more knowledge that to be very useful for my professional. Secondly, I would have new relationships from these networks and this was very necessary in my research activities (B).

However, some interviewees believed that the attendance of conference not only merely collected new knowledge but also they could promote their image through these activities.

One employee stated that,

I have also attended international and national symposium once to twice a year. I think this channel is a good way to promote my image. For example, if you want to be known in your area you should write good paper and participate in workshops. As a result, you have many chances to expand your relationships in your area (H)

1.1.2 Face to face discussing

Totally, of researchers usually study the experience from other people or share know-how from work experience with each other by discussing. For example, one of interviewed expressed his thinking’s,

When I want to get more experience from experts I usually discuss even argue with them about my problems (H).

Furthermore, there are divisions which are far from head quarter might cause difficulties in obtain knowledge. Hence, several participants exposed their desire,

I have exchanged ideals mainly via email. Because we cannot be in face to face discussing, there are many limitations in obtaining new knowledge or experience from colleagues. Therefore, face to face communication will be better than through other implement (E).

1.1.3 Formal meeting

There are different schedules for meeting among departments. Seven interviewees proposed that they always are required for repairing meeting reports. As an interviewee explained,

I am always far from institution in assignments. Hence, in order to update information and presently situation each other, meetings have been held fortnightly (E).

Some interviewees revealed that they only had to attend meeting biannually, “…not much, only in the beginning and the end of the year. Meetings are mainly for reporting the finished and ongoing activities of individual. We have not yet had a lot chances to share information officially” (C)

However, it was very interesting to hear that there was no any formal meeting in their community. Two out of fourteen interviewees admitted. One of them explained,

Because the number of staff members in our department is too few, it is very easy to solve problems anytime, anywhere that not necessary get a meeting (G).

Summary

According to the respondents, it can be seen that the entire above channel is considered as common channels to get more knowledge. Further, the most favorite channel that all of them are interested in is face to face discussing. However, it still exist some differences between departments in holding meeting for employees.

Figure 4.1 Summary of formal flows

1.2 Informal flows

Table 4.3 Coding of informal flows

Theme Category Key channels

1.Knowledge sharing

1.2 Informal flows 1.2.1 Social network 1.2.2 Observe and Imitate 1.2.3 Group working 1.2.4 Others

1.2.1 Social network

In term of social network, author emphasized on the online externalization communities.

These are one of the implements of knowledge repository, such as Google group, Facebook, or Wordpress, etc. It was very surprised that there were only five interviewees joining in these networks. One of them expressed,

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I have rarely used Facebook or something like that, but the most regularly access is Vifisnet – an academic online community. This online network links to abroad students who can exactly provide and introduce the situations of research in others country, since I can share and get knowledge from foreign academic researchers. I mean I can study more about the other communities all over the world (I).

Furthermore, one of employees had a noticeable ideal,

I like to join in these networks very much. I think it is one of the activities that young people like us are interested. Second, because we have just graduated and time for working is not much, life experience and work experience have still limitations. Furthermore, we can expand interpersonal relationship through these networks.

1.2.2 Observe and imitate

However, there were five participants those who not only discussed to collect experience but also observed and imitated from other people.

In research process, discussing with colleagues is the best way when I encounter difficulties. However, there are still many ways to study experience from other people. For example, regarding scientific knowledge and scientific research method (or experience of processing data), I mainly study from other experts by imitating and observing their process then selecting the method that best suitable for me (H).

1.2.3 Group working

Team working was paid attention by all participant, the ways of interaction between colleagues by working group is one of the effectively way to solve problem. As one interviewee explained,

All employers are keen solve problems together and work in teams. Working in a group gains more effectively than working independently. For example, my group has five members, each member take over only one mission, they are not able to look overview all of mission. Hence, it will be easier to discuss and solve solutions together (A).

In my opinion, working in a group or working independently each of them has both strong and weak points. Nonetheless, I like to work in-group rather than individual. Because your own ideal is one-dimensional opinion, I will get more knowledge that is useful when discuss in-group. Working in a discussion group is the best choice for exchange knowledge and experiences. (J).

However, several interviewees also had this ideal,

Regarding gather information and knowledge, I will be in-group working. When come in an affair I wish to work independently (K).

1.2.4 Others

Moreover, the way that people use to increase their knowledge is from documents of finished projects. One participant stated,

In order to get more knowledge, I usually synthetize documents and data from projects, then directly contact to editor of documents, and the last is discussion.

(M).

In addition, learning through experience is usually the good method. Hence, increasing knowledge and understanding by learning is one of the common ways that everybody usually thinks of,

People can gain new knowledge and increase their understanding of specialty by learning. I think this is an easy way to implement knowledge for my own experiences (B).

Summary

In conclusion, it is interesting to note that although there are differences between employees about working group, all of them like to discussing and working in-group.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the influence of online platforms such as social network affects not much in exchanging knowledge of staff members. Beside, the selection of preferences through imitation is one of the good ways that is chosen by employees.

Figure 4.2 Summary of informal flows

1.3 Perceptions of academic researchers about sharing knowledge

Table 4.4 Coding of Perceptions of academic researchers

Theme Category Key concept

1.Knowledge sharing

1.3 Perceptions 1.3.1 Transparence 1.3.1 Willingness

1.3.1 Transparence

In term of transparence, author emphasized that whether or not they shared knowledge with people who they did not particularly like in everyday life. Academic researchers clearly ascertained activities in research and social life. Except only one person, he said,

“It is very difficult to share as well as receive experience from those who they don’t like because they will be afraid of that recipient will be more expertise than them”. Most of researchers shared knowledge even with people they do not like. One of them expressed his opinion,

Of course, it is necessary to identify collective and private affair. Scientific information is very important, I willing ignore something to approach or share knowledge with people who I do not like (C)

Two of them have not also yet encountered this situation, however they think that this issues is not complicated,

I think we should eliminate resistance barrier to share knowledge. I provide and expect that the provision of information will be reciprocated in the future. (G) Furthermore, when employees discussed with those who are more senior or expertise than them, most of them felt that “It is very interesting when I have chance to discuss with them, because I will get more information and experience from them.” (A). One employee expressed clearer his ideal,

As far as I am concerned, I am very confident when exchange knowledge with senior employees. However, it is difficult to share knowledge with same old people, because they are usually very haughty. Hence discussing with those who are older or younger 15 to 20 year olds will be easier. (H)

Conversely, few of employees felt that it was not comfortable,

It is difficult to share knowledge with people who are more senior. Firstly, there will be limitations when communicate. If they have a higher level of education, I am afraid of not enough level to approach their expertise. Secondly, I will have a feeling of fear when talk to people who are in higher position (F).

1.3.2 Willingness

All employees willingly shared new knowledge to everyone. One employee stated that,

Knowledge, which is got from training course, will be diffused to everyone.

Otherwise, we will join in meeting if these are specialist knowledge (E).

Consistent with the above ideal, employee (H) explained more about which kinds of knowledge that can be shared,

This also depends on kind of knowledge. Explicit knowledge can be share anytime, anywhere, implicit knowledge is my own knowledge. However, I only share to foreign colleagues except Vietnamese, because I do not trust Vietnamese colleagues. When they get knowledge from you, this knowledge will be used against you. For example, other colleagues copy my invention, and then this technology is considered as their own knowledge.

Furthermore, I have many years of experience in research with technique of Babylonia snail. I am willing to share these experiences to those who are interested in, because it is merely technological information. However, I will not share knowledge that I get from PhD course. I think that specialist knowledge should be store for my own experience. I will share knowledge with a person whom I can trust. These are my own intellectual capital. Therefore, it depends on kind of knowledge, implicit and explicit.

In addition, a specific attitude was exposed as below,

My point of view, knowledge that gets from ongoing project should not be shared. For example, raw data that has just explored will not share (D).

Summary

It is also interesting to note that in neither case there was a significant view of all participants. Perception on knowledge sharing of them is very clear. Most of them willing eliminate barriers to exchange knowledge even thought difficulties may still exist.