Epistemological Approach to Knowledge Sharing Issues at Universities in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Altruism and Social Exchange Theory Context

Abstract

Professionals and researchers in the literature widely discuss the concept of knowledge sharing. This article aims to provide a theoretical framework for knowledge sharing from the perspective of selected factors such as altruism and social exchange theory (SET) and also discusses an epistemological approach to knowledge management and knowledge sharing. The main aim of this paper is to theoretically and empirically contribute to knowledge sharing in the University context. The paper also discusses the altruism and knowledge sharing of students as individuals who may expect some recognition for sharing their tacit and explicit knowledge. Data confirm that there is often an altruistic approach among students. If they expect recognition, it is mainly on a group level. Groups of student respondents also gave a unique perspective on the influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the attitude toward sharing knowledge.