A knowledge management approach to resolving the crises in the information systems discipline

Abstract

Purpose

The information system (IS) discipline and IS departments in universities are facing major challenges which threaten their survival. Knowledge management strategies have been used in various other fields to solve crisis situations and this paper contends that similar approaches could be adopted to address the crises in the discipline of IS. The purpose of this paper is to present a multi‐theoretical model that can be used to identify knowledge transfer impediments contributing to the crises in the IS discipline in a university.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature on crisis management and crises in the IS discipline was reviewed. This revealed that many crises are caused by lack of appropriate knowledge development and sharing in research and education. Knowledge management research was then reviewed and synthesized to create a comprehensive framework for identifying impediments to knowledge transfer in a university setting.

Findings

The findings of the literature review indicates that lack of knowledge management and sharing is one main contributor to the crises in IS discipline. The model developed in the present study will only be tested in the next phase of this research.

Practical implications

IS departments can use this framework to identify the impediments to knowledge sharing contributing to crises in research and teaching.

Originality/value

This paper adopts an approach used in other disastrous situations to resolve the crises in the IS discipline. It is established in literature that most crises arise due to the lack of proper knowledge management. A framework to examine knowledge transfer impediments in IS discipline is therefore proposed. Two theoretical perspectives to knowledge transfer (i.e. the epistemological and ontological) are combined whereby impediments to tacit and explicit knowledge transfer in the areas of research and teaching, and at various social interaction levels (i.e. individual, group, organizational and inter‐organizational levels) can be examined. This provides a more comprehensive analysis of the crisis situation and facilitates the development of holistic knowledge‐based solutions needed to respond to the crises. Departments can use the framework to identify critical issues requiring urgent attention or specific needs of individuals, groups, etc.

Citation

Kyobe, M. (2010), "A knowledge management approach to resolving the crises in the information systems discipline", Journal of Systems and Information Technology, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 161-173. https://doi.org/10.1108/13287261011042949