Title: Fostering knowledge sharing in competitive environments: the roles of co-worker desire to learn, job security and incentives

Authors: Nour AlBuloushi; Noufou Ouedraogo; Mohammed Laid Ouakouak; Gertrude I. Hewapathirana

Addresses: College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Abdullah Al Salem University, Khaldiya, Kuwait ' School of Business, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta-T5J 4S2, Canada ' College of Business, Gulf University for Science and Technology, West Mishref, Kuwait ' College of Business, Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois-61402, USA

Abstract: This study aims to explore the influence of a competitive work environment on employees' openness to knowledge-sharing. It specifically examines the mediating role of co-workers' desire to learn and the moderating role of job security on knowledge-sharing behaviour. A conceptual model is developed based on existing literature drawing on social relations theory to analyse these relationships. Data were collected from 237 employees across eight banks and analysed using structural equation modelling. The study finds that co-worker desire to learn fully mediates the relationship between competitive work environment and openness to knowledge sharing. Additionally, the results indicate that incentives for knowledge sharing moderate this relationship. These results provide insight for organisations aiming to develop a culture of knowledge sharing in a highly competitive environment and lay a foundation for exploring further moderators and mediators.

Keywords: competitive work environment; knowledge sharing; co-worker desire to learn; incentives; job security; structural equation modelling; SEM; social relations theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2026.152495

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2026 Vol.17 No.1, pp.49 - 72

Received: 31 Mar 2025
Accepted: 14 Oct 2025
Published online: 23 Mar 2026 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article