Identification and prioritization of the barriers of knowledge management implementation using fuzzy analytical network process: A case study of the Iranian context

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers of knowledge management (KM) implementation in Alborz Province industrial Parks Corporation and prioritize them using fuzzy analytical network process (FANP).

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in-depth review of the literature on KM and researcher findings from observations and interviews with experts, the main barriers of KM implementation, namely, organizational culture, organizational structure, human resource, technology and miscellaneous factors along with their related factors in the surveyed organization were identified. Then, based on the information gathered, an expert questionnaire was developed. Finally, the priority of each main barrier and their sub-factors were determined using FANP.

Findings

The results show that human resource and organizational culture factors with the weights of 0.66 and 0.22, respectively, have the highest ranking and therefore are the most important barriers. The technology factor with the weight of 0.00002 is the least important barrier in implementing KM in the surveyed corporation.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this study is the generalizability of the findings, which may be limited by the single case study method used.

Originality/value

There are fewer studies about KM barriers specifically with a focus on prioritizing them in organizations, especially in the context of Iran as a developing country. This study develops a comprehensive and solid mathematical technique to prioritize the identified barriers of KM implementation in the context of Iran.

Citation

Valmohammadi, C. and Ghassemi, A. (2016), "Identification and prioritization of the barriers of knowledge management implementation using fuzzy analytical network process: A case study of the Iranian context", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. 46 No. 3, pp. 319-337. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-08-2015-0046