Interdependencies between knowledge management and academic performance in higher educational institutions

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the interdependent relationship between knowledge management and the academic performance of faculty members in higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Nepal.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied survey research to identify the interdependencies between knowledge management and academic performance in the context of HEIs. The data were collected from the 445-academic staff of four different universities of Nepal by using the self-constructed questionnaire, using Delphi methods. Factor analysis was applied to identify the dimensions of knowledge management and academic performance and canonical correlation analysis was applied to examine the interdependent relationship between dimensions of knowledge management and academic performance.FindingsThe factor analysis explored the following seven dimensions of knowledge management: knowledge utilization, acquisition, generation, dissemination, transfer, creation and presentation and four dimensions of academic performance as research and publication, innovation, interactive learning and capacity building. The analysis of canonical correlation showed the interdependent relationship between knowledge utilization, acquisition, generation and dissemination with research, publication and capacity building; knowledge creation with innovation; and knowledge transfer and presentation with interactive learning.Practical implicationsThis study was carried out based on the day-to-day practices and perceptions of the faculty members of four different universities in Nepal. The changing context of global practices in academia, organizational structure and thoughts of faculty members are changing rapidly. It demands the practical aspects of transferring tacit knowledge to explicit one to enhance intellectual capital of individual.Originality/valueIn a country such as Nepal, the concept of knowledge management is in an emerging stage and has been applied to some financial institutions so far. In this context, this paper presents a study that was carried out to explore the interdependence of knowledge management practices in HEIs to enhance academic activities and discourses. The knowledge management further strengthen the intellectual capital of individual and institution and impacts on overall development of knowledge economy of nation.