The Utilisation of Facebook for Knowledge Sharing in Selected Local Government Councils in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim/Purpose: Facebook has made it possible for organisation to embrace social and network centric knowledge processes by creating opportunities to connect, interact, and collaborate with stakeholders. We have witnessed a significant increase in the popularity and use of this tool in many organisations, especially in the private sector. But the utilisation of Facebook in public organisations is at its infancy, with many also believing that the use of Facebook is not a common practice in many public organisations in Nigeria. In spite of this fact, our discernment on the implications of Facebook usage in public organisations in Nigeria, especially organisations at the local level, seem to be remarkably limited. This paper specifically sought to ascertain if Facebook usage influenced inward and outward knowledge sharing in the selected local government councils in Delta State, Nigeria Methodology: The qualitative method was adopted. The study used interview as the primary means of data gathering. The study purposively sampled thirty-six employees as interviewees, twenty from Oshimili South and sixteen from Oshimili North local government councils respectively. The thematic content analysis method was used to analyse interview transcripts. Contribution: This research made distinct contributions to the available literature in social knowledge management, specifically bringing to the fore the intricacies surrounding the use of Facebook for knowledge sharing purposes in the public sector. Findings: The local government councils were yet to appreciate and utilise the interactive and collaborative nature of Facebook in improving stakeholders’ engagement, feedback, and cooperation. Facebook was used for outward knowledge sharing but not for inward knowledge sharing. Recommendations for Practitioners: Local government councils should encourage interaction via Facebook, show willingness to capture knowledge from identifiable sources, and effectively manage critical knowledge assets in order to build trust, cooperation, and confidence in the system. To gain strategic benefits from the use of Facebook for synchronous communication of knowledge, local government councils should ensure that the use of such technology is aligned with strategic plans and that directional change is in line with the new knowledge economy, where interaction and collaboration through technology are seen as strategic imperatives for continued success and sustainability. In addition, local government councils need to train stakeholders on effective use of Facebook for knowledge sharing, with special emphasis on how, why, who, when, and where to use such tool for knowledge sharing activities.

Social Media Use and Its Effect on Knowledge Sharing: Evidence from Public Organisations in Delta State, Nigeria

“…Social media tools are progressively changing the communication landscape by allowing individuals to connect, share, and collaborate with others on the internet. The capacity to enhance social and network centric processes has made its use expand exponentially over the past decade (Ononye & Igwe, 2017). With the dramatic development of social media tools in forms, numbers, and functionality, organisations are increasingly adopting these revolutionary corporate tools in changing how individuals network and collaborate in the workplace (Ahmed, Ahmad, Ahmad, & Zakaria, 2018).…”

“…For instance, in 2011, 2015, and 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) used social media tools -Facebook and Twitter -to provide a check to the credibility of the national and state elections through situation reports from the electorates and other stakeholders at polling stations. The Occupy Nigeria Protest in 2012, driven partly by the social media following a price increment in price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also provided the impetus for government and its organisations to use social media as a facet of e-governance to understand the demands of stakeholders and freely discuss issues relevant to public good without restrictions of time and space (Danbatta, 2017;Olayiwola, 2014;Ononye & Igwe, 2017). Ononye and Igwe (2017) argue that the use of social media for knowledge sharing in the Nigerian public sector is not a common practice.…”

“…The Occupy Nigeria Protest in 2012, driven partly by the social media following a price increment in price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also provided the impetus for government and its organisations to use social media as a facet of e-governance to understand the demands of stakeholders and freely discuss issues relevant to public good without restrictions of time and space (Danbatta, 2017;Olayiwola, 2014;Ononye & Igwe, 2017). Ononye and Igwe (2017) argue that the use of social media for knowledge sharing in the Nigerian public sector is not a common practice. For organisations that do adopt it, it is a far cry from what is expected in an interactive and collaborative space.…”

“…Outward knowledge sharing involves the broadcast of information about organisational policies and activities. In contrast, inward knowledge sharing involves soliciting and obtaining feedback from stakeholders whose views are deemed helpful and relevant (Carim & Warwick, 2013;Omar et al, 2014;Ononye & Igwe, 2017).…”

“…The argument that bureaucratic communication does not fit current social media communications may be compelling, but it has never been empirically tested or explored (Meijer & Torenvlied, 2014). Ononye and Igwe (2017) argue that the use of social media to facilitate stakeholders' engagement remains an issue to be explored. It represents a novel and challenging idea yet to be an integral part of the official governance policy of any government or its agencies (Sivarajah, et al, 2015).…”