| The events of September 11, 2001 highlighted the inability of intelligence community officials to disseminate information. Barriers to inter-organizational knowledge sharing continue to exist among analysts in spite of efforts by intelligence officials to promote knowledge sharing. The problem addressed is the apparent difficulties in intelligence community inter-organizational knowledge sharing as evidenced by perceived lack of available time to execute knowledge searches, perceived lack of access to efficient knowledge sharing channels, perceived lack of need to seek knowledge, and perceived lack of willingness of others to share. The quantitative, correlational study drew on data from 141 of the total population of 221 analysts at the Missile and Space Intelligence Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Participants completed a paper-and-pencil survey consisting of 16 items derived from Stonerock's research with Department of Defense contracting officials. Multivariate regression techniques were used to examine possible relationships between the ordinal dependent variable inter-organizational knowledge sharing and the ordinal independent variables. Perceived lack of access to efficient knowledge sharing channels (DeltaR2 = .16, Delta F[1, 133] = 25.51, p < .001) was the most statistically significant predictor of inter-organizational knowledge sharing. Perceived lack of need to seek knowledge (DeltaR2 = .12, DeltaF[1, 132] = 22.45, p < .001) and perceived lack of willingness of others to share (Delta R2 = .04, DeltaF[1, 131] = 6.79, p = .01) also were statistically significant. Perceived lack of available time to execute knowledge searches (DeltaR2 = .02, DeltaF[1, 134] = 3.03, p = .08) was not a statistically significant predictor of inter-organizational knowledge sharing. The study contributes to intelligence community research regarding specific impediments to inter-organizational knowledge sharing from an analyst point of view. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies of analysts to assess the impact over time of collaborative technologies on information sharing and attitudes towards collaboration, as well as research into the effects of demographics and organizational culture factors on the transfer of tacit knowledge. Further analysis of impediments will enable senior intelligence community leaders to implement policies and procedures to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration, in order to more effectively provide for the security of the United States. |
