Subjective Impacts on Knowledge Creation Behavior of Enclosed University Campus in China

Abstract

Universities are essential for knowledge creation, and an efficient knowledge creation environment is important. The closed campus approach in China is unique. Almost all students live on campus, which forms the typical teaching + living model. This study aims to determine whether a closed campus is more conducive to knowledge creation and which factors contribute to improving its knowledge creation efficiency. This study uses a cluster analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between environmental factors and knowledge creation in the common spaces of enclosed university campuses. The findings include that creative behavior is significantly related to physical spaces and humanistic environments, and the latter is more significant. A good atmosphere of academic organization and a relaxed and free environment are necessary to promote academic exchanges. Improving the convenience of a closed campus has a greater impact on academic exchange, while improving the overall satisfaction and comfort has a greater impact on deep thinking. Increased overall satisfaction and convenience also promote thinking coherence. Deep thinking and academic exchange require different environmental characteristics. Meditation requires a better physical space, while scholarly communication needs a better humanistic environment. This study provides theoretical support for building an efficient knowledge creation campus environment.

Keywords

• enclosed campus
• Chinese universities
• common space
• knowledge creation behavior
• subjective feeling