Toward a Knowledge Management Strategic Framework in the Arab Region

Abstract

This article seeks to develop a framework for a Knowledge Management (KM) strategy in an emerging economy, viz. the Arab region, and to propose a framework for a successful KM strategy in such a sociocultural context. To achieve the objectives of the study, a conceptual KM strategy framework was proposed and described; it was then illustrated using a case study. The paper adopts a case study approach as a powerful source of understanding the KM specificities. Twelve interviews with executives of a telecommunications company were conducted and then systemically analyzed. Based on the findings of the study, a profile of KM in an Arab country is developed as well as a holistic and integrative KM strategy framework. The final framework concludes with a proposed a three-layer KM framework. The first layer includes KM drivers (market liberalization, technological advancements, and customers’ preferences); the second, KM processes (knowledge strategizing, sourcing, composing, sharing, and using); whereas the third includes KM enablers (KM buying behavior, convergence of business and technology, source-data quality, project championship, process-based structure, and sharing culture). However, the proposed framework requires further testing through additional case study analyses to be able to capture the best practice of KM in this important region.