World Journal of Management and Behavioral Studies 4 (1): 31-40, 2016 ISSN 2306-840X © IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjmbs.2016.4.1.1326 Corresponding Author: Houcine Meddour, School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. 31 The Impact of Information Technology and Networks on Knowledge Transfer and Sharing: The Mediating Role of Trust Houcine Meddour, Abdul Halim Abdul Majid and Rushami Zien Yusoff School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the interrelations between information technology, networks and knowledge transfer and sharing (KTS) in MSC status organizations. Apart from that, it contributes in assisting businesses understanding by including the mediating role of trust. In this study, the data is collected from MSC status organizations in Malaysia and analyzed through Partial Least Square PLS-SEM technique. The obtained results shows that: information technology and networks have a positive and significant impact on knowledge transfer and sharing. Moreover, trust fully mediates the relationship between networks and knowledge transfer and sharing. It is also discovered that there is no mediation effects on the relationship between information technology and knowledge transfer and sharing. Key words: Knowledge transfer and sharing Information technology Networks Trust INTRODUCTION competitive advantage and the importance of knowledge Due to the competitive environment, organizations technology, networks and trust which in turn may plays an important role in the creation and utilization of enhance MSC’s competitiveness. knowledge to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Based on this, the constructs of information technology Knowledge Transfer and Sharing: Knowledge sharing and networks are considered to be the key factors to usually means the activities of giving or contributing. support MSC status organizations in Malaysia, as it is While, knowledge transfer should involve active a catalyst for growth in achieving fully developed status communication between two parties in order to learn what by the year of 2020 [1]. Thus, this paper focuses on they both know. In a simple meaning, people share information technology and networks as they are the knowledge while organizations transfer knowledge [8][9]. most emerged constructs in the literature [2-6] which In fact, to transfer knowledge from one brain of a human enhance and promote knowledge transfer and sharing. to another brain perfectly is not as easy as transferring Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the interrelation files from one computer to another. This is because of input factors to examine direct and indirect effects on knowledge can be classified as explicit or tacit knowledge knowledge transfer and sharing. [10]. Explicit knowledge is easily transmitted from one Consequently, this paper empirically tests a individual or organization. In contrast, tacit knowledge is mediating model considering trust as a boundary gained through experience and it is difficult to explain condition for input factors associated with knowledge because it exists in peoples’ heads [11]. transfer and sharing to enable inter and intra group The effectiveness of knowledge transfer and sharing relationships among MSC status organizations. In fact, processes depends on the influencing factors such as, MSC status organizations in Malaysia are facing a reward systems and top management support to competitive environment where all MSC organizations encourage employees to share intellectual capital which require a direct interest in the genesis of knowledge [7]. is considered as a social system. Besides that, information In this respect, this paper aims to resolve the issues of technology is considered as a technical system which can transfer and sharing by incorporating information