Investigating the use of knowledge management tools within the Saudi Arabian public sector organisations

Abstract

Recent technological developments have made a significant and positive impact on the ability and desire to manage knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore the usage of key knowledge management (KM) techniques and technologies for dealing with change initiatives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) public sector organisations. A web-based, online questionnaire survey method was employed to collect data. The survey revealed that conventional, simple and cost-effective KM techniques and technologies such as telephone, internet, face-to-face meetings, WhatsApp, and formal education and training programs are extensively used, whereas modern KM techniques and technologies such as Viber, FaceTime, LinkdIn, informal networks and knowledge maps are less used. The paper concludes that to gain competitive advantage, it is necessary for KSA public sector decision-makers to recognise and use a blend of information and communication technology (ICT) and non-ICT-based KM techniques and technologies.