The Impact of Knowledge Sharing through Social Networks on Students’ Academic Performance

Abstract

This study examines the factors that affect knowledge sharing via an online social network (specifically, Facebook) and assesses its impact on students’ academic performance in the education environment. The study sample comprised 60 undergraduate students attending classes in the principles of accounting at Palestine Technical University. The structural equation model was applied to identify the factors that may motivate these students to share their knowledge via Facebook for education purposes. The results show that altruism and knowledge self-efficacy are the main factors that influence students to share their knowledge via Facebook and that trust and reputation are not motivators for students to do so. In addition, the results of this study also indicate that knowledge sharing via social network has a strong impact on students’ academic performance. The factors affecting students' knowledge sharing can differ between different people and contexts; therefore, future research could examine the differences in social network participation based on gender, age, education level, or subject. Based on the findings, recommendations are offered for using Facebook in education.