International Journal of Business Management & Research (IJBMR) ISSN 2249-6920 Vol. 3, Issue 4, Oct 2013, 113-124 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd. KNOWLEDGE SHARING PRACTICES AMONG ACADEMICIANS: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES G. NAGAMANI 1 & J. KATYAYANI 2 1 Research Scholar, Department of Business Administration, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India 2 Research Supervisor, Department of Business Administration, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India ABSTRACT This research paper tries to probe the influence of Demographic Variables (individual characteristics) such as age, gender, qualification, designation and working experience on knowledge sharing behaviour. The data is sourced from academicians of private engineering colleges in YSR district, Andhra Pradesh. Research instrument for measuring knowledge sharing behaviour are developed from an extensive literature review. The study results revealed the significant but weak relationship exists between demographic factors such as age, designation, educational qualification, working experience and knowledge sharing behaviour. Gender is found to be insignificant with knowledge sharing behaviour of academicians. KEYWORDS: Demographic Variables, Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Sharing Behaviour INTRODUCTION The present economy is identified as knowledge based economy because knowledge is the driving force for social and economic development and it is becoming as the important resource for all sectors. In order to survive in this intensive competitive environment the organizations need to clearly recognize the knowledge as an important asset for individuals as well as for organizations (Syed-Ihksan (2004); Alavi & Leidner (1999); Vanden Hoof & De Ridder (2004); Yang (2007)). Also various studies have concentrated on the significance of knowledge management initiatives to enhance the organizational performance. Educational institutions, like other organizations, produce knowledge from their operations, i.e. the process of teaching and learning. In developing countries like India knowledge sharing in educational institutions plays a vital role in knowledge management since an individual’s knowledge will not have much impact on the organization unless it is transferred to other individuals. However, learning institutions are struck by the same challenge encountered by other organizations, complexity in managing the creation and diffusion of knowledge within their organizations (Carroll et al, 2003). Knowledge sharing is observed as one of the most vital practice of knowledge management framework, which is the contribution made by individuals to the collective knowledge of an organization. Hence in the new economy the wise move of knowledge to create greatest value is becoming the core consideration. Knowledge sharing facilitates the organization to avoid mistakes and help them to better prepare to grab the opportunities as they arise. Knowledge sharing practice also provides the firm to transfer the knowledge across the departments and organizations themselves (Ipe 2003). Many researchers have studied the significance of various factors like culture, climate, technology etc., in enhancing the knowledge sharing behaviour among individuals (Gupta & Govindarajan (2000) Davenport et al (1998); Nevis et al (1995); Delong and Fahey (2000)). Apart from the those factors the demographic factors like age, gender, occupation, experience also may also have an impact on knowledge sharing