Individual Learning, Knowledge Sharing and Innovative Behavior of Employees In Small Businesses, In Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

This study was conducted to establish the relationship between; knowledge sharing and innovative behaviour among employees, individual learning and innovative behaviour and the combined effect of knowledge sharing and individual learning on innovative behavior among employees of welding small businesses in Nakawa division, Kampala. As such, a crosssectional, correlational and analytical research design was adopted. A sample of 186 welding small businesses was used in the study. The unit of inquiry were the employees of welding small businesses. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and results were presented based on the study objectives. The research findings revealed that knowledge sharing and individual learning are significant predictors of innovative behaviour among employees in small businesses (r=.641**, p≤.01; r=.723**, p≤.01) respectively. The study also revealed that the combined effect of knowledge sharing and individual learning is 56.6% of the variations in innovative behaviour of employees in small businesses. As such, small business owner-managers should provide learning and knowledge sharing opportunities to their employees such as visiting other organizations in the industry, internship, mentorship and learning on the job. This will result into development of new or significantly improved products and services that satisfy the ever changing customer needs