Role of knowledge sharing and employee competencies in driving knowledge-based entrepreneurship in higher education institutions

Purpose Knowledge-based enterprises located in developing economies operate in distinctively difficult institutional settings relative to their counterparts in advanced countries. Although knowledge-based enterprises are important for a knowledge-based economy and sustainable development, yet, the factors that influence knowledge-based entrepreneurship by academics in a developing economy have received limited attention. Considering the potential relevance of personal and professional competencies of academics, this study aims to examine the influence of tacit and explicit knowledge sharing on knowledge-based entrepreneurship in higher education institutions of a developing economy and the extent to which the personal and professional competencies of academics mediate the relationship. Design/methodology/approach The data was collected through a survey of 400 faculty members in the higher education sector of Pakistan based on random sampling. The data was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modelling. Findings The authors found that the relationship between tacit knowledge sharing and developing the knowledge-based entrepreneurship is partially mediated by enhancing the personal and professional competencies of academics. In addition, the results suggest that the nexus between explicit knowledge sharing and development of knowledge-based entrepreneurship is also partially mediated the personal and professional competencies. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature on knowledge sharing and entrepreneurship by being most likely the first study to empirically test the extent to which personal and professional competencies mediate the relationship between tacit/explicit knowledge-sharing and knowledge-based entrepreneurship in a developing economy.