Social Relations and Knowledge Sharing in the Virtual Community of Practice among Farmers in Brebes District, Central Java, Indonesia

Ahmad Badari Burhan, Djuara P. Lubis, Rilus A. Kinseng, Andi M. Faisal Bakti

Abstract


Due to the aggregation of common interests and concerns, digital information and communication technology (ICT) applications used by farmers can build virtual communities of practice (VCoP). This study aims to identify farmers’ level of access to digital ICT applications, social capital (SC), social power relations (SPR), and knowledge sharing (KS) in the VCoP. It will also examine the causal relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs. This study involved the participation of 221 farmers as smartphone users in Brebes District, Central Java Province, Indonesia. It used survey methods with questionnaire instruments and multistage clustered random sampling techniques. It assessed causal relationship models between constructs using SmartPLS 3 software. The study identified disparities in the level of access to digital ICT applications. The farmers who perceived SC and SPR at moderate and high levels were more than 75 per cent and 85 per cent, consecutively. Other farmers perceived KS in VCoP at low levels (average 29 percent) and moderate levels (average 48 per cent). Path analysis shows that concerning access to digital ICT applications, the effects are significant and positive on SC and SPR; SC affects KS in VCoP significantly and positively; access to digital ICT applications significantly and positively influences KS in VCoP. However, despite the direction being positive, the effects of SPR on the KS in VCoP are not significant. Variations in values in the latent variables' access to digital ICT applications, SC, and SPR can explain the variation in the latent variable knowledge sharing by 36 percent.

Keywords


access, capital, ICTs, power, smartphones

Full Text:

PDF

References


FAO, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Agriculture: A Report to the G20 Agricultural Deputies, Rome: FAO, 2017.

A.B. Burhan, D.P. Lubis, R.A. Kinseng, and A.M.F. Bakti, “Utilization of digital ict among farmers in Brebes,” EUDL, April 2022 [Proceeding of the 2nd International Conference on Rural Socio-Economic Transformation: Agrarian, Ecology, Communication and Community Development Perspectives Indonesia].

S.L. Sibbald, M.L. Burnet, B. Callery, and J.I. Mitchell, “Building a virtual community of practice: experience from the Canadian foundation for healthcare improvement’s policy circle,” Health Res. Policy Sys., vol. 20, pp. 1-11, 2022.

A. Crupi, F. Cesaroni, and A.D. Minin, “Understanding the impact of intellectual capital on entrepreneurship: a literature review,” J. Intellect. Cap., vol. 22, pp. 528-559, April 2021.

K.K. Reed, M. Lubatkin, and N. Srinivasan, “Proposing and testing an intellectual capital-based view of the firm,” J. Manag. Stud., vol. 43, pp. 867-893, 2006.

E. Villalonga-Olives and I. Kawachi, “Methodological note: the measurement of social capital,” Gac Sanit., vol. 29, pp. 62-64, January-February 2015.

A. Meflinda, M. Mahyarni, H. Indrayani, and H. Wulandari, “The effect of social capital and knowledge sharing to the small medium enterprise’s performance and sustainability strategies,” Int. J. Law Manag., vol. 60, pp. 988-997, May 2017.

A. Zimmermann, I. Oshri, E. Lioliou, and A. Gerbasi, “Sourcing in or out: implications for social capital and knowledge sharing,” J. Strategic Inf. Syst., vol. 27, pp. 82-100, March 2018.

P. Akhavan and S.M. Hosseini, “Social capital, knowledge sharing, and innovation capability: an empirical study of r&d teams in Iran,” Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag., vol. 28, pp. 96-113, August 2015.

G. Martín-de-Castro, M. Delgado-Verde, P. López-Sáez, and J.E. Navas-López, “Towards ‘an intellectual capital-based view of the firm’: origins and nature,” J. Bus. Ethics, vol. 98, pp. 649-662, 2011.

A. Ujwary-Gil, “The business model and intellectual capital in the value creation of firms: a literature review,” BJM, vol. 12, pp. 368-386, 2017.

I. Díez-Vial and Á. Montoro-Sánchez, “Social capital as a driver of local knowledge exchange: a social network analysis,” Know. Manag. Res. Pract., vol. 12, pp. 276-288, 2014.

C. Phelps, R. Heidl, and A. Wadhwa, “Knowledge, networks, and knowledge networks: a review and research agenda,” JOM, vol. 38, pp. 1115-1166, 2012.

A.L.J.T. Wal and R.A. Boschma, “Applying social network analysis in economic geography: framing some key analytic issues,” Ann. Reg. Sci. vol. 43, pp. 739-756, 2009.

L. Nguyen, L. Torlina, K. Peszynski, and B. Corbitt, “Power relations in virtual communities: an ethnographic study,” Electron. Commerce Res., vol. 6, pp. 21-37, 2006.

L.G.M.F. Duarte, M. Sahakian, and J.L.F. Neto, “Empowerment in an ecovillage: unveiling the role of power relations in social practices,” Community Dev. vol. 52, pp. 1-15, 2021.

N. Seifollahi, “The impact of power and conflict on knowledge processes,” JAMET, vol. 2, pp. 539-547, 2016.

H. Heizmann and M.R. Olsson, “Power matters: the importance of foucault’s power/knowledge as a conceptual lens in KM research and practice,” J. Knowl. Manag., vol. 19, pp. 756-769, 2015.

G. Soenen and B. Moingeon, “Knowledge management: taking power dynamics seriously. conference paper,” pp. 1-13, June 2004 [Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management, 4th International Conference Canada].

P. Rivera-Vargas and R. Miño-Puigcercós, “Young people and virtual communities. New ways of learning and of social participation in the digital society,” Páginas de Educación, vol. 11, pp. 67-82, January 2018.

R. Gordon and D Grant, “Knowledge management or management of knowledge? why people interested in knowledge management need to consider Foucault and the construct of power,” J. Crit. Postmod. Organ. Sci., vol. 3, pp. 27-38, 2004.

C. Kimble, N. Tessier, and I. Bourdon, “Defining practice, power and relationships in virtual communities of practice,” pp. 1-35 [25th EGOS Colloquium Barcelona, 2009].

FAO, Knowledge is the new paradigm for the future of food and agriculture, Rome: FAO, 2017.

R. Lenart-Gansiniec, Understanding Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Communities, Organisation Und Netzwerke, 2018.

V. Anand, W.H. Glick, C.C. Manz, “Thriving on the knowledge of outsiders: tapping organizational social capital,” Acad. Manag. Executive, vol. 16, pp. 87-101, February 2002.

P. Bourdieu, The Forms of Capital, New York: Greenwood, 1986.

J. Nahapiet and S Ghoshal, “Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage,” Acad. Manag. Rev., vol. 23, pp. 242-266, April 1998.

M. Haugaard, “Rethinking the four dimensions of power: domination and empowerment,” J. Political Power, vol. 5, pp. 33-54, April 2012.

F. Avelino, “Theories of power and social change. Power contestations and their implications for research on social change and innovation,” J. Political Power, vol. 14, pp. 425-448, March 2021.

M.A. Rahim, D. Antonioni, and C. Psenicka, “A structural equations model of leader power, subordinates’ styles of handling conflict, and job performance,” Int. J. Confl. Manag., vol. 12, pp. 191-211, December 2001.

A.T. Cenkci, “Leader power, conflict handling styles, and subordinate compliance: a study on information technology professionals in Turkey,” Int. J. Manag. Econ., vol. 54, pp. 18-35, March 2018.

B.H. Raven, “The bases of power and the power/interaction model of interpersonal influence,” Anal. Soc. Issues Public Policy, vol. 8, pp. 1-22, November 2008.

B.H. Raven, “The bases of power: origins and recent developments,” J. Social Issues, vol. 49, pp. 227-251, 1993.

R. Lenart-Gansiniec, “Virtual knowledge sharing in crowdsourcing: measurement dilemmas,” JEMI, vol. 13, pp. 95-123, January 2017.

M. du Plessis, “The strategic drivers and objectives of communities of practice as vehicles for knowledge management in small and medium enterprises,” Int. J. Inf. Manag., vol. 28, pp. 61-67, February 2008.

Y.L. Bavik, P.M. Tang, R. Shao, and L.W. Lam, “Ethical leadership and employee knowledge sharing: exploring dual-mediation paths,” Leadersh. Q., vol. 29, pp. 322-332, 2018.

J.N. Lee JN, “The impact of knowledge sharing, organizational capability and partnership quality on is outsourcing success,” Inf. Manag., vol. 38, pp. 323-335. April 2001.

A. Sarkheyli, R.A. Alias, N.B. Ithnin, and M.D. Esfahani, “Dimensions of knowledge sharing quality: an empirical investigation,” JISRI, vol. 3, pp. 9-18, 2013.

Saide, R. Trialih, H.L. Wei, Okfalisa, and W. Anugrah, “Knowledge sharing behavior and quality among workers of academic institutions in Indonesia,” Int. J. Bus. Soc., vol. 18, pp. 353-368, 2017.

J. F. Hair, C. M. Ringle, and M. Sarstedt, “PLS-SEM: Indeed a Silver Bullet,” J. Mark. Theory Pract., 19 (2): 139-151, 2011.

J.A.G.M. Van Dijk, Digital Divide: Impact of Access, Chichester: Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2017.

C.W. Chang, H.C. Huang, and C.Y. Chiang, “Social capital and knowledge sharing: effects on patient safety,” J. Adv. Nurs., vol. 68, pp. 1793-1803, August 2012.

S.C. Vera-Munoz, J.L. Ho, and C.W. Chow, “Enhancing knowledge sharing in public accounting firms,” Accounting Horizons, vol. 20, pp. 133-155, June 2006.

M. Bakker, R.T.A.J. Leenders, S.M. Gabbay, J. Kratzer, and J.M.L. van Engelen, “Is trust really social capital? knowledge sharing in product development projects,” Learn. Organ., vol. 13, pp. 594-605, November 2006.

A. Willem and H. Scarbrough, “Social capital and political bias in knowledge sharing: an exploratory study,” Hum. Relat., vol. 59, pp. 1343-1370, October 2006.

H.F. Lin, “Knowledge sharing and firm innovation capability: an empirical study,” Int. J. Manpower, vol. 28, pp. 315-332, June 2007.

C.R. Leana and F.K. Pil, “Social capital and organizational performance: evidence from Urban Public Schools,” Organ. Sci., vol. 17, pp. 353-368, June 2006.

S. Mohammed and B.C. Dumville, “Team mental models in a team knowledge framework: expanding theory and measurement across disciplinary boundaries,” J. Organiz. Behav., vol. 22, pp. 89-106, March 2001.

A. Pierro, B.H. Raven, C. Amato, and J.J. Bélanger, “Bases of social power, leadership styles, and organizational commitment,” Int. J. Psychol., vol. 48, pp. 1122-1134, October 2013.

S.B. Grant and T. A. Preston, “Using social power and influence to mobilise the supply chain into knowledge sharing: a case in insurance,” Inf. Manag., vol. 56, pp. 625-639, July 2019.

D.H. Galeon, P.G. Garcia, and T.D. Palaoag, “Sms-based ict tool for knowledge sharing in agriculture,” IJASEIT, vol. 2, pp. 342-349, 2019.

K. Lokeswari, “A study of the use of ict among rural farmers,” Int. J. Commun. Res., vol. 6, pp. 232-238, 2016.

R. Syiem and S. Raj, “Access and usage of icts for agriculture and rural development by the tribal farmers in Meghalaya State of North-East India,” JAI, vol. 6, pp. 24-41, October 2015.

C.P. Anunobi and C.V. Anunobi, “Improving rural farmers’ access to information through ict based extension information services,” pp. 1-11, August 2018 [IFLA WLIC Malaysia, 2018.

M. Kante, C. Chepke, and R. Oboko, “Partial least square structural equation modelling’ use in information systems: an updated guideline of practices in exploratory settings, Kabarak J. Res. Innov., vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 49-67, 2018.

J.F. Hair, G.T.M. Hult, C.M. Ringle, M. Sarstedt, N.P. Danks, and S. Ray, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R, Cham: Classroom Companion Business, 2021.

J.F. Hair, M. Sarstedt, L. Hopkins, and V.G. Kuppelwieser, “Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM),” Eur. Business Rev., vol. 26, pp. 106-121, 2014.

J.F. Hair, G.T.M. Hult, C.M. Ringle, and M. Sarstedt, A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), California: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2014.

C.M. Ringle, S. Wende, and J.M. Becker, SmartPLS 3, Boenningstedt: SmartPLS GmbH, 2015.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v37.2.5190

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2023 Ahmad Badari Burhan, Djuara P. Lubis, Rilus A. Kinseng, Andi M. Faisal Bakti

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.