Search results

1 – 7 of 7
Article
Publication date: 11 May 2015

Siew Hoong Angela Lee and Tong-Ming Lim

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of knowledge workers on practice of knowledge management (POKM) as an organizational knowledge sharing enabler in an…

496

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of knowledge workers on practice of knowledge management (POKM) as an organizational knowledge sharing enabler in an information technology shared services company to understand issues faced and provide recommendations on different technological characteristics of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial stage of the research involved a preliminary review of the existing knowledge management-related documents. This was followed by a top management interview to understand the organization’s business goals and knowledge management (KM) expectations. A total of 70 knowledge workers took part in the research activity. Twenty-five participants from nine departments took part in the preliminary interview, and 52 successful survey forms were collected from a total of 70 respondents. The entire investigation took close to nine months. Data compilation and research result analysis took about three months to complete.

Findings

The outcomes of the research show that the quality of POKM is stable, easy to use and organization of the content is rated as good. However, POKM has poor response time and search capability. The content is found to be difficult to locate in the POKM but most participants agree that knowledge stored in the POKM is helpful, can be accessed anytime and anywhere and useful for their day-to-day job. As for the user interface, POKM is not very pleasant to use with a weak set of functions and features. For user satisfaction toward POKM, it is shown that users are not satisfied with the efficiency and effectiveness of the systems. However, employees generally are satisfied with the ease of access, download and reuse of knowledge contains in POKM. In term of perceived POKM benefits, users agree that POKM is an enabler for acquiring new knowledge and innovative ideas, managing and storing knowledge and accomplishing tasks more efficiently. Lastly, knowledge users agree that POKM functions enable knowledge networking, sharing and creation in the organization.

Originality/value

POKM was launched and implemented for close to 10 years; however, the organization has failed to achieve some of the goals such as knowledge sharing among employees, creation of new skills and knowledge, measuring knowledge sharing activities and knowledge sharing strategy. The importance of this study is to understand and highlight the technological perspective of POKM from the knowledge workers. Findings will summarize issues faced by the case company for further action and remedy. The outcomes of the study also provide a comprehensive view and guideline to organizations who are interested to implement a KM system.

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2016

Dinesh Rathi, Lisa M. Given and Eric Forcier

This paper aims to present findings from a study of non-profit organizations (NPOs), including a model of knowledge needs that can be applied by practitioners and scholars to…

3511

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings from a study of non-profit organizations (NPOs), including a model of knowledge needs that can be applied by practitioners and scholars to further develop the NPO sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with NPOs operating in Canada and Australia. An analysis of survey responses identified the different types of knowledge essential for each organization. Respondents identified the importance of three pre-determined themes (quantitative data) related to knowledge needs, as well as a fourth option, which was a free text box (qualitative data). The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and a grounded theory approach, respectively.

Findings

Analysis of the quantitative data indicates that NPOs ' needs are comparable in both countries. Analysis of qualitative data identified five major categories and multiple sub-categories representing the types of knowledge needs of NPOs. Major categories are knowledge about management and organizational practices, knowledge about resources, community knowledge, sectoral knowledge and situated knowledge. The paper discusses the results using semantic proximity and presents an emergent, evidence-based knowledge management (KM)-NPO model.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the growing body of literature in the KM domain, and in the understudied research domain related to the knowledge needs and experiences of NPOs. NPOs will find the identified categories and sub-categories useful to undertake KM initiatives within their individual organizations. The study is also unique, as it includes data from two countries, Canada and Australia.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Ka Po Cheuk, Saša Baškarada and Andy Koronios

This paper aims to answer calls for more research on how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of knowledge reuse.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to answer calls for more research on how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of knowledge reuse.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on an in-depth case study conducted in the sales department of a large white goods company in Australia.

Findings

Six contextual factors identified include purpose, time pressure, language, accessibility, author and date. A mismatch in purpose between knowledge creation and reuse is most likely to reduce knowledge reuse effectiveness. Time pressures may lead to an increase in errors associated with search question definition as well as knowledge search and selection, while unfamiliar language is likely to lead to misinterpretations of content. Knowledge accessibility issues are of particular concern in time-sensitive situations. Authorship and creation date information may facilitate knowledge reuse by allowing consumers to filter unwanted knowledge.

Originality/value

This study contributes to knowledge management theory by providing an exploration of the ways in which contextual factors influence knowledge and reuse effectiveness, and of the possible relationships between those factors. The paper also provides knowledge management practitioners with tangible guidelines on how to increase the effectiveness of organizational knowledge reuse.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. 47 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2021

Maoka Andries Dikotla

The purpose of this paper is to recommend a framework for remodelling a public sector knowledge management system (KMS) using key knowledge management (KM) processes. The…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recommend a framework for remodelling a public sector knowledge management system (KMS) using key knowledge management (KM) processes. The rationale is to provide insight and guidelines to organisations that struggle with KM.

Design/methodology/approach

This desktop study adopted the qualitative approach and literature to support the understanding regarding the remodelling of the public sector KMS using key KM processes.

Findings

The study found that if KM processes are not considered, the prospect of KM is limited. The best way to manage public sector knowledge is following KM processes using information technology. Without proper KM, organisations may not know how knowledge is generated, codified, stored, shared and used in an organisation.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework to guide public sector organisations in the implementation of electronic KM. Thus, proposing a new way of managing knowledge by using the electronic KM processes in the public sector organisations. The study will also benefit other organisations implementing KM programmes.

Details

Collection and Curation, vol. 40 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9326

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2017

Dinesh Rathi and Lisa M. Given

This paper aims to present findings from a study conducted with non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Canada and Australia, focusing on the use of tools and technologies for…

3367

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings from a study conducted with non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Canada and Australia, focusing on the use of tools and technologies for knowledge management (KM). NPOs of different sizes and operating in different sectors were studied in two large-scale national surveys. The paper is useful to both practitioners in NPOs for understanding tool use for KM activities and to scholars to further develop the KM-NPO domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Two nation-wide surveys were conducted with Canadian and Australian NPOs of different sizes (i.e. very small to large-sized organizations) and operating in different sectors (e.g. animal welfare, education and research, culture and arts). An analysis of responses explores the use of tools and technologies by NPOs. Respondents identified the tools and technologies they used from nine pre-determined themes (quantitative data) plus an additional category of “other tools” (qualitative data), which allowed for free text responses. The quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques and the qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

Quantitative data analysis provides key findings including the popularity of physical, print documents across all NPO sizes and sectors. Statistical tests revealed, for example, there is no significant difference for the same-sized organizations in Canadian and Australian NPOs in the use of tools and technologies for KM activities. However, there were differences in the use of tools and technologies across different sizes of NPOs. The qualitative analysis revealed a number of additional tools and technologies and also provided contextual details about the nature of tool use. The paper provides specific examples of the types of tools and technologies NPOs use.

Originality/value

The paper has both practical and academic contributions, including areas for future research. The findings on the use of KM tools and technologies by NPOs contribute to the growing body of literature in the KM domain in general and also build the literature base for the understudied KM-NPO domain. NPOs will also find the paper useful in better understanding tools and technological implementation for KM activities. The study is unique not only in the content focus on KM for NPOs but also for the comparative study of activities in two countries.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2018

Thilo Haamann and Dirk Basten

Organisations that systematically manage their knowledge based on processes of creating, storing, transferring and applying knowledge are likely to achieve both performance…

1694

Abstract

Purpose

Organisations that systematically manage their knowledge based on processes of creating, storing, transferring and applying knowledge are likely to achieve both performance improvements and competitive advantages. However, companies often succeed in the first three processes only, while neglecting knowledge application. The phenomenon of employees not relying on existing knowledge when solving specific problems is referred to as knowing-doing gap. While the existence of this gap is well acknowledged, the purpose of this study is to advance the understanding how respective barriers of knowledge application can be overcome, in particular concerning the role of information technology (IT).

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a case study design, thereby relying on various data sources, such as interviews, documents, field notes, observations and demonstrations. The analysis follows established guidelines for thematic analysis.

Findings

An understanding of knowledge application as a three-step process is derived. The set of knowledge application barriers, identified practices to overcome the barriers and yielded themes that explain the role of IT in bridging the knowing-doing gap are complemented.

Research limitations/implications

The role of IT in bridging the knowing-doing gap and contributing to the general understanding of the knowing-doing gap by also considering practices concerning the people and process dimensions is illuminated. While IT plays a central role in applying knowledge, successfully overcoming the knowing-doing gap requires organisational practices at the people and processes dimensions that are aligned with the IT. The set of barriers of knowledge application at the individual, group and organisational levels is complemented.

Practical implications

The practices to bridge the knowing-doing gap at the intersection of the people, processes and technology dimensions are identified. Specifically, the role of IT in overcoming barriers to knowledge application is explored.

Originality/value

This thematic analysis yields a theoretical explanation for knowledge application as a three-step process and suggests practices to bridge the knowing-doing gap for each step. Furthermore, four major themes that explain the role of IT for this process in depth are derived.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2020

Shorouq Eletter, Ghaleb Awad El Refae and Abdoulaye Kaba

Academic institutions play a crucial role in social and economic development. They share responsibilities to equip students with knowledge and skills. This study aims to examine…

Abstract

Purpose

Academic institutions play a crucial role in social and economic development. They share responsibilities to equip students with knowledge and skills. This study aims to examine and investigate the impact of knowledge sharing enablers (KSE) on knowledge sharing behavior (KSB). The paper measured KSE through perceived instructor support of knowledge sharing instructor support (IS), perceived information and communication technology (ICT) support of knowledge sharing and perceived ability to share knowledge (ASK).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. A sample of 597 students from Al Ain University in UAE participated in the study. The collected data were treated and analyzed through MS Excel and International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) was used in formulating a conceptual framework. Several statistical techniques, including partial least square structural equation modeling, were used to test and verify hypotheses.

Findings

Findings of the study supported TRA theory by suggesting a positive and significant impact of KSE (IS, ICT and ASK) on KSB. The findings supported the stated three hypotheses and confirmed that at least 45% of the variation in students’ KSB is explained by a variation in one of the three KSE indicators. The paper provided important theoretical and practical implications for researchers and managers of academic institutions.

Originality/value

Academic institutions need to advance their strategies to create more collaborative environments for boosting knowledge sharing among students. Such practice will contribute in improving the students’ overall capabilities, skills and success of academic institutions.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. 52 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

1 – 7 of 7