The role of Individualism–Collectivism in Enhancing Knowledge Sharing and Innovative Work Behavior: Evidence from Higher Education in Vietnam

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between individualism-collectivism, knowledge sharing and the innovative work behavior of students in higher education in Vietnam. A quantitative study was conducted with 517 students in Vietnam selected using the convenience sampling technique. The collected data was then analyzed using covariance based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) utilizing IBM AMOS 28 software. The results revealed that collectivists tend to share more and be more innovative than individualists. Specifically, horizontally individualistic students tend to transfer knowledge, whereas horizontally collectivistic students tend to transfer and acquire knowledge. Vertically individualistic students are not likely to share knowledge, while vertically collectivistic students tend to receive knowledge. Additionally, collectivists are prone to develop novel work behaviors. Additionally, the research findings indicate a strong and favorable correlation between students' information sharing and innovative work behaviors. The findings of this study contribute to knowledge sharing and innovative work behavior theory by establishing a link between individual personality, knowledge sharing, and innovative work behavior.