Knowledge sharing and knowledge acquisition behaviour: Analysis based on experimental economics

The present research is aimed to apply experimental techniques to study decision making on individuals who face the task of acquiring new knowledge and share it, in this case, the use of computer software, a new application for Microsoft Excel. The factorial experiments proposed include variables such as risk aversion, methods of acquiring knowledge (documents, help files, tutorials and videos or browsing through the tool) and the execution of a task or activity for evaluation. The payoffs in cash of the experiments are determined by the decisions of subjects and their performance in the evaluation task. To measure risk aversion, the study is based on a widely used instrument in the literature of the field. For the design and implementation process of the experiments, we used z-Tree software (Zurich Toolbox for Readymade Economic Experiments) as well as Microsoft Excel and Power Point. Z-Tree software is a specialized tool for the development and implementation of economic experiments, allowing dynamic games, markets, negotiation, auction and others. In this study, it enables to build an application that captures the activities and time records of the subjects in their use of support or exploration of Excel. It also allows individuals to send inquiries and responses to each other, as a measure of willingness to share the new knowledge gained. For statistical analysis we define a likelihood function for all the choices that individuals make and jointly estimate the parameters of the utility function. The measured variables throughfactorial design and the control variables of characteristics of the subjects included in the function to estimate its significance. This study is ongoing. We have preliminary results of experiments for the variable of risk aversion on university students. The other experiments are in the design phase. The burgeoning experimental research became interested in areas not directly related to economic theory. Experimental economics supports these areas with empirical studies, greater control and isolation of variables, and a set of statistical techniques and software associated with the experimental sciences. This research shows how experimental techniques can analyze individual behavior in acquisition and sharing of knowledge, and promote these techniques as a research alternative to scales and psychometric tests. Subjects receive a cash prize depending on laboratory decisions therefore the data represent real decisions taken in a controlled environment.