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Knowledge Management and Digital Transformation in the Sharing Economy

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2021) | Viewed by 48482

Special Issue Editors

School of Business Administration, Chonnam National University, Kwang-Ju 61186, Korea
Interests: knowledge management; knowledge ecosystem; virtual community; shadow work; sharing platform
Department of Business Administration, Daegu University, Gyeongsan-si 38453, Korea
Interests: IT user behavior; shadow work; knowledge management; digital transformation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The goal of this Special Issue of Sustainability is to build a comprehensive body of knowledge regarding the complexity . This Special Issue calls for papers that address state-of-the-art KM practices in the sharing economy and digital transformations (DTs) in firms. The emphasis of this Special Issue is on how both individual and organizational knowledge can be incorporated into new emerging technologies such as big data, Internet of Things (IoT), voice recognition techniques, blockchain, social networks (SNs), crowd computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) using KM systems, techniques, and tools. The concepts of knowledge ecology (KE); open innovation; digital transformation; and shadow work for societies, organzations, and individuals can be further extended as examples in the new era of KM.

With the state-of-the-art KM practices (especially knowledge ecosystems, DTs, and KE), the topic of how knowledge can be intelligently utilized within and among organizations has been highlighted. This includes the inter. However, there has been little attention paid to clearly understanding how such interplay could contribute to the academic and practical fields while the interactions between KM and new emerging technologies are initiated.

This Special Issue call for papers involving various types of research and practical papers using scientific theories, methods, and research contexts to contribute to KM research communities or practitioners. Submissions focusing on the interactions of technical, behavioral, organizational, and societal aspects of KM are welcomed. We also welcome a variety of methodological papers using qualitative methods, experimental design, modeling, empirical research, qualitative study, or mixed methodological approaches with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Further, regarding the unit of analysis, national-, organizational-, inter-organizational-, social-, and team-level studies are welcomed. Case studies relevant to the real world are warmly encouraged.

Topics of interest include—but are not limited to—the following:

  • Knowledge management (KM) in the context of sharing platforms;
  • Digital transformations (DTs) and KM;
  • KM with crowd computing;
  • Social or behavioral issues in KM;
  • Communities-of-practice (CoPs);
  • Cross-cultural aspects of KM;
  • KM and organizational learning;
  • Business processes and software engineering for KM;
  • Emerging trends for information systems in KM;
  • KM and strategic IS planning;
  • Open innovation and cases;
  • Knowledge ecology and cases;
  • Analytical tools and techniques (e.g., text analytics, sentiment analysis);
  • Data mining of tacit and explicit knowledge;
  • Knowledge management system (KMS)-related issues;
  • Virtual communities for KM;
  • Inter-organizational collaboration;
  • Big data and KM;
  • Business intelligence and analytics (BIA);
  • New technology usage for KM (e.g., AI, IoTs, robots);
  • Service systems and architecture for KM;
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) and KM;
  • Customer centers and customer knowledge;
  • Conceptualization of shadow work in terms of IT usage;
  • Shadow work in the sharing economy;
  • The side effect of shadow work on organizations and individuals;
  • Other KM issues in the context of the fourth industrial revolution.

Prof. Dr. Joon Koh
Prof. Dr. Sang Cheol Park
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • knowledge management
  • knowledge ecosystem
  • community-of-practice
  • virtual community
  • virtual organization
  • shadow work
  • sharing economy
  • IT user behavior
  • case study
  • mixed-methods
  • qualitative study
  • quantitative study

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 350 KiB  
Article
Digital Transformation among SMEs: Does Gender Matter?
by Khorshed Alam, Mohammad Afshar Ali, Michael O. Erdiaw-Kwasie, Peter A. Murray and Retha Wiesner
Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 535; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010535 - 04 Jan 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5613
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated some of the challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face in times of crisis, disrupting their operations, weakening their financial positions, and exposing them to a wide range of financial risks. While previous studies have [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated some of the challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face in times of crisis, disrupting their operations, weakening their financial positions, and exposing them to a wide range of financial risks. While previous studies have viewed digital transformation as a vital source of innovation and productivity growth for economic recovery in SMEs, there has been limited focus on digital transformation in the regional context, with very little attention focused on women-led enterprises. This study aims to investigate (i) the determinants of perception of digital transformation among regional SMEs, and (ii) whether the gender of the SME owner or manager has an impact on the drivers of the digital transformation experiences of SMEs operating in regional Australia. Building upon the resource-based view, this study uses a unique dataset of 281 SMEs collected from a survey conducted within a regional area of Queensland, Australia. Employing Feasible Generalised Least Squares and Generalised Least Squares estimations, the study found that the perceptions of digital transformation can be explained by the use of social network platforms, innovation processes, workplace culture, and information and communication technologies. This study also found that there is a significant difference between female-led and male-led SMEs regarding their perceptions of digital transformation. This study offers two key policy and practical insights: (i) digital transformation of regional SMEs should be used as a fundamental tool for crisis recovery strategies, and (ii) the need for policymakers to mainstream gender into postcrisis transformative interventions and policies should be fast tracked. Full article
21 pages, 851 KiB  
Article
Multiple Correspondence Analysis of Factors Influencing Student Acceptance of Massive Open Online Courses
by Cecilia Temilola Olugbara, Moeketsi Letseka and Oludayo O. Olugbara
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13451; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313451 - 05 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2506
Abstract
There have been manifold thrilling studies strikingly conducted in recent years to explore factors influencing student acceptance of massive open online courses (MOOCs). The principal goal was to determine future prediction and sustainable use of MOOCs for providing pervasive quality education services. This [...] Read more.
There have been manifold thrilling studies strikingly conducted in recent years to explore factors influencing student acceptance of massive open online courses (MOOCs). The principal goal was to determine future prediction and sustainable use of MOOCs for providing pervasive quality education services. This has led to the examination of different theoretical models tested on varying sample sizes for factor exploration. However, existing studies have reflected heterogeneous results caused by divergent sources not observed in the literature using the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). This study aimed to apply the data science method of MCA to explore hidden associations amongst factors influencing student acceptance of MOOCs and heterogeneity sources of theoretical models and sample sizes to blur the literature hiatus. Results based on data extracted from 54 primary studies published from 2015 to 2021 with a total of 19,638 valid student responses generally conclude the existence of four main levels of associations. The four associations were respectively composed of single, blended, extended and complex theories and each level is associated with distinct categories and a combination cloud of similar categories. Moreover, results indicated that very small sample size is the most unusual under the basic assumption that none of the variables are correlated. It is practically germane to confirm hidden associations in a dataset of influencing factors to help reach a much greater understanding of the application and performance of MOOCs for sustainable education services. Full article
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24 pages, 750 KiB  
Article
Why Do People Hide Knowledge in the Online Knowledge Community? An Integrated Framework of Protection Motivation, Self-Determination, and Social Exchange Beliefs
by Qin Yang and Young-Chan Lee
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9885; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13179885 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2575
Abstract
Suppressing knowledge hiding is a prerequisite for achieving positive knowledge interactions among people. Most previous studies concentrate on knowledge hiding in organizations, but the quantitative examination of knowledge hiding antecedents in the online knowledge community has been limited. This study investigates individuals’ knowledge [...] Read more.
Suppressing knowledge hiding is a prerequisite for achieving positive knowledge interactions among people. Most previous studies concentrate on knowledge hiding in organizations, but the quantitative examination of knowledge hiding antecedents in the online knowledge community has been limited. This study investigates individuals’ knowledge hiding intentions in the context of the online knowledge community through an integrated framework of protection motivation theory, self-determination theory, and social exchange beliefs. We tested the research model through a valid sample of 377 respondents from Chinese online knowledge community users. The results demonstrate that individuals’ threat appraisal (perceived severity and perceived vulnerability) and intrinsic motivation (perceived autonomy and perceived relatedness) are negatively associated with interdependence. Additionally, interdependence within the online knowledge community is proved to negatively affect individuals’ knowledge hiding intention. Furthermore, reciprocity and trust moderate the relationship between interdependence and knowledge hiding intentions. This study enriches the academic literature in the knowledge hiding field, and the findings provide an in-depth understanding of knowledge hiding in the context of the online knowledge community. Full article
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16 pages, 763 KiB  
Article
Investigating Moderators of the Influence of Enablers on Participation in Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Communities
by Ae Ri Lee
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9883; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13179883 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1520
Abstract
Virtual communities (VCs) are emerging as a cyberspace where active knowledge exchange between people occurs without time or space constraints. For VCs to be sustainable, a major challenge is ensuring that members voluntarily contribute and share knowledge. Therefore, many VCs provide anonymity as [...] Read more.
Virtual communities (VCs) are emerging as a cyberspace where active knowledge exchange between people occurs without time or space constraints. For VCs to be sustainable, a major challenge is ensuring that members voluntarily contribute and share knowledge. Therefore, many VCs provide anonymity as a means of encouraging members to participate more in knowledge-sharing activities. Given the recent prevalence of anonymity-based VCs, this study aimed to examine what has a significant impact on human behavior, such as knowledge sharing in VCs. This study focused on governance-related factors of VCs and intrinsic motivation factors of users as participation-enabling factors in VCs. Particularly, this study analyzed the differences based on two types of self-awareness (public and private) and the level of anonymity. A web-based survey was conducted to collect data and the research model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results of this study show that members’ willingness to conform to group norms, which control and govern VCs, and intrinsic motivation have significant effects on knowledge sharing in VCs, and the influence can vary depending on the type of self-awareness and level of anonymity. This study provides implications for VC management strategy and the establishment of Internet culture for sharing high-quality knowledge. Full article
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15 pages, 1265 KiB  
Article
Impact of Digital Strategic Orientation on Organizational Performance through Digital Competence
by Jiatong Yu and Taesoo Moon
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9766; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13179766 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5413
Abstract
In the era of the digital economy, enterprises need a comprehensive digital transformation of strategy, business, organization, competence, and operation. However, being limited themselves to the development of digital technology, previous studies mainly focused on the development and application of digital technology, single [...] Read more.
In the era of the digital economy, enterprises need a comprehensive digital transformation of strategy, business, organization, competence, and operation. However, being limited themselves to the development of digital technology, previous studies mainly focused on the development and application of digital technology, single case studies, and multi-case studies of digital transformation. Few researchers systematically studied the digital transformation mechanism at the organizational level. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between a strategic orientation and organizational performance though digital competence at the organizational level. To accomplish the task, this study basically constructed the dimensions of digital competence according to core competence theory. Digital competence contains three hub-factors: digital infrastructure, digital integration, and digital management. This study collected 160 questionnaires from Chinese enterprises and analyzed the data using SmartPLS 3. This study analyzed the positive relationship between digital strategic orientation, digital competence, and organization performance. This study identified the importance of digital competence through the empirical analysis of enterprises that are undergoing digital transformation or had completed a digital transformation. Therefore, enterprises need to pay attention to the impact of digital competence on organizational performance. Digital competence is a reshaping of corporate resources when facing a turbulent digital environment. Moreover, digital competence can ultimately achieve value delivery through the improvement of enterprise organizational performance. Full article
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12 pages, 277 KiB  
Article
A Sustainable Community of Shared Future for Mankind: Origin, Evolution and Philosophical Foundation
by Uzma Khan, Huili Wang and Ishraq Ali
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9352; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13169352 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5806
Abstract
The Community of Shared Future for Mankind (CSFM) concept is a comprehensive Chinese proposal for a better future of mankind. In this article, we provide a comprehensive analysis of this concept by focusing on its origin, evolution and philosophical foundation. We show that [...] Read more.
The Community of Shared Future for Mankind (CSFM) concept is a comprehensive Chinese proposal for a better future of mankind. In this article, we provide a comprehensive analysis of this concept by focusing on its origin, evolution and philosophical foundation. We show that the concept originated during the presidency of Hu Jintao, who initially used it for the domestic affairs of China. However, the usage of the concept was later extended from domestic to international affairs. Though Hu Jintao conceived the CSFM concept, it is president Xi Jinping who became its greatest advocate. We explore the CSFM concept’s development and evolution into one of the most influential, diverse and dominant concepts of international relations under president Xi. We argue that although CSFM concept is seen as a 21st century Chinese idea, the roots of the concept can be traced back to much earlier time in history. The concept is based on three major philosophical thoughts: Marxism, Confucianism and the philosophy of Mencius. We show that the CSFM concept is greatly influenced by Marx’s ideas such as the transformation of the world, the free association of producers, historical materialism and dialectics. We also point to a number of Confucian principles that are adopted by the CSFM concept. The CSFM concept not only adopts Confucian principles but also extends their scope from the individual level to international relations. Similarly, we also highlight that the CSFM concept is influenced by Mencius’ concepts such as universal brotherhood, responsibility towards the betterment of the world, humane governance, free trade, equal sharing of wealth and the conservation of natural resources. Full article
13 pages, 523 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Digital-Based Supply Chain Integration, and Firm Performance: A Cross-Country Empirical Comparison between South Korea and Vietnam
by Su-Yol Lee
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7315; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13137315 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4301
Abstract
Sustainability and digitization issues have coevolved in supply chain management (SCM), receiving attention from the academic and business circles. However, few studies have addressed this topic in an integrated way. In this regard, this study examined the relationships between sustainable SCM, digital-based supply [...] Read more.
Sustainability and digitization issues have coevolved in supply chain management (SCM), receiving attention from the academic and business circles. However, few studies have addressed this topic in an integrated way. In this regard, this study examined the relationships between sustainable SCM, digital-based supply chain integration, and supplying firms’ performance in two different country settings: South Korea and Vietnam. This comparative study provides evidence that sustainable SCM facilitates the adoption and implementation of supply chain integration using digital technologies, leading to suppliers’ operational competitiveness. This study also indicates the differences and similarities of sustainable SCM and its effects in the two different economies. These findings provide scholars, managers, and policymakers with theoretical and practical implications to encourage firms in Asian countries to enhance corporate competitiveness by adequately responding to environmental and social issues and digitalization along the global value chain. Full article
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27 pages, 1481 KiB  
Concept Paper
The Business Model of Sustainable Competitive Advantage through Strategic Leadership Capabilities and Knowledge Management Processes to Overcome COVID-19 Pandemic
by Omar Rabeea Mahdi and Islam A. Nassar
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9891; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13179891 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 16732
Abstract
In recent decades, particularly during the outbreak of COVID-19, businesses organizations have focused on knowledge management processes in order to attain a sustainable competitive advantage by creating human and social capital as strategic leadership capabilities. This paper aims to develop an integrated conceptual [...] Read more.
In recent decades, particularly during the outbreak of COVID-19, businesses organizations have focused on knowledge management processes in order to attain a sustainable competitive advantage by creating human and social capital as strategic leadership capabilities. This paper aims to develop an integrated conceptual and theoretical framework that connects strategic leadership capabilities, knowledge management processes, and sustainable competitive advantage for the public and private organizations within the service industry. The model approach has been used to build a theoretical framework that predicts the relationships between the variables. To support the link between them, a systematic literature review of traditional and contemporary theoretical and empirical research studies is conducted. Through the combination of the related literature, propositions are established. This conceptual research is primarily comprised of a model and assertions concerning strategic leadership capabilities, knowledge management processes, and sustainable competitive advantage. The outcomes of this study reflect that strategic leadership capabilities can accomplish sustainable competitive advantage. They also have the greatest potential to impact sustainable competitive advantage via engaging the knowledge management processes. Particularly, there are significant implications of this study. Regarding the theoretical implication, it contributes to the resource-based view, knowledge-based view, and knowledge creation theory in supporting strategic leadership capabilities, knowledge management processes, and sustainable competitive advantage. To the practical implication, the study linked the concepts of research variables for public and private enterprises within the service industry. It can also enable strategic leaders and businesses owners to participate in real-time opportunities and determine threats for achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a preliminary study of the sustainable competitive advantage literature that includes the concept of strategic leadership as a knowledge management processes enabler for achieving a sustainable competitive advantage. Until now, there has not been any work like it in the literature, save in the qualitative style. Full article
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11 pages, 670 KiB  
Hypothesis
Antecedents and Consequences of Digital Shadow Work in Mobile Shopping Apps Context
by Sung-Yul Ryoo and Sang-Cheol Park
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7697; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13147697 - 09 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2460
Abstract
Shadow work continues to witness a significant uptick in the context of mobile shopping. Therefore, we question whether shadow work perceived by mobile shoppers may become a bigger problem, create fatigue for mobile shoppers, and lead them to discontinue the use of mobile [...] Read more.
Shadow work continues to witness a significant uptick in the context of mobile shopping. Therefore, we question whether shadow work perceived by mobile shoppers may become a bigger problem, create fatigue for mobile shoppers, and lead them to discontinue the use of mobile shopping apps. This study examines the relationship between shadow work and the discontinuance of mobile shopping apps. Data from a total of 266 completed surveys were collected by a market research firm. We adopted partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess both the measurement and structural components of the model. The results show that both information overload and system feature overload positively influence individuals’ shadow work. This study explores the concept of shadow work in the context of mobile shopping apps. Specifically, the study developed the relationships between the antecedents and consequences of shadow work in the mobile shopping context. The main contribution of our study is that it introduces an integrative model of shadow work in the mobile shopping context, highlighting the importance of shadow work. Full article
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