Abstract:
Social media tools have great potential to enhance networking, collaboration, sharing of
experiences and communication. This study aimed at examining the utilization of social
media tools in knowledge sharing, with a view of proposing a framework for improving
its utilization in public universities in Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to
examine the types of social media tools used for knowledge sharing at the University of
Nairobi; to find out the purposes of social media tools by staff and students of the
University of Nairobi; to examine the perception/attitude of students and staff at the
University of Nairobi towards using social media tools in knowledge sharing; to
establish the challenges faced by staff and students in using social media tools for
knowledge sharing and to explore the policies regarding the use of social media tools at
the university, make recommendations and propose a framework of improving the
utilization of social media tools. The De Fleur model of communication was used. Mixed
method approach was used with a case study design informing the study. The target
population for this study was staff and students of the College of education and external
studies at the University of Nairobi who were selected using purposive and systematic
random sampling respectively. A total of 151 students and 6 staff formed the sample size.
Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. From the findings of the study, it
is evident that social media tools are used in knowledge sharing for social and academic
purposes. Similarly, it was noted that the social media tools such as Facebook, twitter,
blogs, LinkedIn, Myspace, Skype among others, provide effective channels of knowledge
sharing. The study concluded that University of Nairobi staff and students attach some
value on social media tools as they use them. The study recommends that policymakers
in the universities encourage students and staff to use social media in productive manner.
It also recommends that information communication and technology (ICT) infrastructure
be improved. Stakeholders should review costs for internet access, privacy enhancement,
tracking of hackers and ensure use of proper language in social media tools. This would
be the way forward in increasing the utilization of social media tools for knowledge
sharing
