Effects personality disparities: A look at academic knowledge acquisition activities in Malaysia

Potential effects of the Big Five personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, agreeableness and extraversion on academic Knowledge Acquisition activities and productivity were investigated in this study by utilising a large sample of academics from a Malaysian Public University. It contributes theoretically and empirically by demonstrating several effects of the Big Five on academic outcomes related to Knowledge Acquisition activities. The study also has practical significance based on its implications for university faculty members, providing suggestions for better understanding of how they might increase their success at Knowledge Acquisition activities. A quantitative method was used, resulting in useable data from N = 985 respondents. Following descriptive analysis, hypotheses testing were conducted using a structural equation modelling approach. When all five personality traits were considered together, only openness, extraversion and agreeableness significantly predicted KA. Further recommendations were made for this study by adding different theory such as Theory of Planned Behaviour, motivation or user satisfaction components relationships for expanding further research.