Organisational culture, innovation, and knowledge sharing in selected non-profit organisation projects in Gauteng

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between organisational culture and employees' innovative behaviours' within selected project-based non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Gauteng Province, South Africa, with a specific focus on the mediating role of knowledge sharing. Guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Knowledge-Based View (KBV), the research described organisational culture as a strategic intangible resource and knowledge sharing as a dynamic capability that promotes innovation. A quantitative research approach was adopted, utilising a structured survey distributed among employees engaged in project-based roles within NPOs in the Solidarity Movement. Data from 253 respondents were analysed using structural equation modelling to examine the hypothesised relationships among organisational culture, knowledge sharing, and innovative behaviour. The reliability and validity of the measures were confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, and average variance extracted. The findings demonstrated that organisational culture significantly influenced both knowledge sharing and innovative behaviour. Furthermore, knowledge sharing was found to have a direct positive effect on innovative behaviour and mediated the relationship between organisational culture and innovation. This confirms that knowledge sharing serves as the mechanism through which culture fosters innovation in NPO project settings. The study contributes to theory by contextualising the RBV and KBV within the African NPO environment, a setting often overlooked in innovation studies. Practically, the findings provide actionable recommendations for NPO leaders to embed a culture of trust, openness, and collaboration, while institutionalising knowledge-sharing practices to strengthen innovation capacity. Limitations of the study include the cross-sectional design, geographic focus on Gauteng, and reliance on self-reported data. Future research should consider longitudinal and mixed-method approaches across broader contexts.