Abstract:
This paper investigated the determinants of social media usage for knowledge sharing by
higher education students in Tanzania. The study used a mixed-methods approach with a
convergent research design. The population of the study is 633 postgraduate students from the
four higher education institutions located in northern Tanzania. An online survey was used to
collect quantitative data, and 171 responded out of the expected 239 respondents. Quantitative
data were descriptively analysed using SPSS version 24, while qualitative data were analysed
thematically using Atlas TI. The findings revealed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease
of use were the factors that determined the use of social media by students in the selected
higher education institutions in Tanzania. The problem of internet connectivity was reported to
impede knowledge sharing among students. The study recommends that the management of
the selected higher education institutions offer training and ensure the availability of internet
connectivity around campuses.
