Enhancing knowledge adoption with recipients’ characteristics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to envisage human characteristics and resources as critical factors in the adoption process. While an individual’s intention to adopt knowledge is considered as the primary motivator in the adoption process, these characteristics, in the appropriate amount, can accelerate the recipients’ knowledge adoption behavior. In this study four personal characteristics, comprising shared language between a knowledge sender and a recipient, the recipient’s prior knowledge, the recipient’s enjoyment in adopting knowledge, and the recipient’s self-confidence have been chosen. Methodology – This research uses four human characteristics, consisting of shared language between knowledge senders and recipients, recipients’ prior knowledge, recipients’ enjoyment in knowledge adoption, and recipients’ self-confidence, to identify their optimal roles in the adoption process. Along with the intention to adopt new knowledge, each of these characteristics was tested in both forms. A survey was conducted with white collar workers. Nine models were designed and regression technique was used for analyzing data and interpreting outcomes of these models. Findings – This study reveals that shared language between a knowledge sender and a recipient as well as a recipient’s self-confidence to adopt new knowledge directly enhances the individual’s likelihood to start learning. Shared language and self-confidence perform better as mutual predictors, while prior knowledge and enjoyment are the moderators. Originality value – The research outcome is beneficial in the designing of organizational business strategies. Shared language between an instructor and a learner increases likelihood to adopt knowledge, thus it is advantageous to arrange prerequisite mandatory courses in order to enhance a learner’s language proficiencies. Organizations can leverage their employees’ prior knowledge if it is perceived to be low. To do so, supervisors should link eagerness in learning and augmenting competencies to career advancement. Advice from, and rapport with a supervisor is essential. Effective strategies can improve the knowledge sharing goals, and in turn achieve business objectives as a whole.