Organizational Knowledge Management Processes Research Articles

The mediating role of knowledge management processes on the relationship between knowledge-based HRM practices and open innovation in SMEs

Purpose Studies have demonstrated the role of human resource management (HRM) practices and knowledge management processes (KMPs) in innovative performance. However, there is limited focus on the role of HRM practices in facilitating KMPs in organizations, most especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are constrained by lack of adequate resources, making them dependent on external sources of knowledge. In addressing this gap, this study aims to investigate the link between knowledge-based HRM practices and open innovation (OI) activities through KMPs in Jordanian SMEs. Design/methodology/approach Following the survey method, 500 manufacturing SMEs in Jordan were randomly selected as participants, with a total of 335 responses collated. The structural equation modeling technique, based on AMOS, was used in analyzing the collected data. Findings The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between knowledge-based HRM practices and OI. In addition, KMPs was determined to be a significant mediator of the relationship between knowledge -based HRM practices and OI. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the organizational elements that boost OI in SMEs. The findings hold significant implications for enhancing the performance of innovativeness, competitiveness and the socioeconomic advancement in the SMEs sector.

The mediating role of knowledge management processes on the relationship between knowledge-based HRM practices and open innovation in SMEs

Purpose Studies have demonstrated the role of human resource management (HRM) practices and knowledge management processes (KMPs) in innovative performance. However, there is limited focus on the role of HRM practices in facilitating KMPs in organizations, most especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are constrained by lack of adequate resources, making them dependent on external sources of knowledge. In addressing this gap, this study aims to investigate the link between knowledge-based HRM practices and open innovation (OI) activities through KMPs in Jordanian SMEs. Design/methodology/approach Following the survey method, 500 manufacturing SMEs in Jordan were randomly selected as participants, with a total of 335 responses collated. The structural equation modeling technique, based on AMOS, was used in analyzing the collected data. Findings The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between knowledge-based HRM practices and OI. In addition, KMPs was determined to be a significant mediator of the relationship between knowledge -based HRM practices and OI. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the organizational elements that boost OI in SMEs. The findings hold significant implications for enhancing the performance of innovativeness, competitiveness and the socioeconomic advancement in the SMEs sector.

Knowledge management–performance nexus: Mediating effect of motivation and innovation

PurposeThe current study has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it aims to analyze the extent to which knowledge management (KM) affects the performance of individuals (task and contextual) on the one hand and that of organizations (product or service, perceived and financial) on the other hand. Secondly, it proposes to investigate the mediating effect of motivation and innovation in the relationship between KM and individual and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachPartial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed in this study, with mediation analysis performed using advanced PLS-SEM techniques. A total of 1,284 respondents from organizations in both the public and private sectors were included in the sample.FindingsThe findings emphasize that KM has a more significant direct effect on individual performance compared to organizational performance. Concurrently, in terms of indirect influence, it is found that KM, through motivation and innovation, has a positive and significant effect on both individual and organizational performances, with a higher influence on the organizational one.Originality/valueThe originality of the work can be noted in designing two different structural models to represent the proposed relationships at the individual and organizational levels. These findings could provide organizational decision makers with empirical evidence, helping them (1) internalize the significance of the KM process in organizations as well as its subsequent effects on individual and organizational performance and (2) identify factors that mediate variable relationships.

Strategic knowledge bases in the context of discovering and creating business opportunities

Due to the level of interdisciplinarity and complexity, knowledge management processes in organizations need to be considered from different points of view. The key area of interest of the article is systemic processes of creating knowledge bases that take into account strategic events in organizations in the form of market opportunities. Thus, the article’s main purpose is to create two models of knowledge bases, the structure and types of which are directly related to the processes of opportunity management: their discovery and creation. For the main objective thus formulated, the researchers defined the following research questions: 1) What are the information needs for creating a strategic knowledge base model in the opportunity discovery process? 2) what is the information needed for creating a strategic knowledge base model in the opportunity creation process? 3) What are the benefits and utilitarian goals for the organization from the creation of strategic knowledge bases in the context of discovering and creating business opportunities?. The detailed objectives derive from analyzing the organization's interior models and environment. The methodology used in the article is a critical review of the literature, the method of deduction in the area of generating assumptions for discovery processes and creating opportunities in the context of creating knowledge models. The results will enable extracting the cognitive knowledge of strategic knowledge bases in the context of the organization's opportunities. Furthermore, this will result in research models detailing the organization's strategic activities in opportunities and knowledge management processes, along with the specification of the potential benefits of the processes carried out (utilitarian purpose). The research results will expand the understanding of the utilitarian nature of knowledge management processes and strategic theory.

Reconciling the impact of knowledge management processes on knowledge worker productivity

Knowledge management has been a proven tool to foster organizational performance, innovations, and individual knowledge workers’ productivity. A stream of empirical studies has demonstrated with contradictory results that each single organizational knowledge management process – knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and utilization – can enhance the knowledge workers’ productivity in isolation. In contrast, our study argues with the support of Nonaka’s theory and alignment theory that knowledge utilization is the only frontline and primary knowledge management process which can enhance knowledge workers’ productivity while other knowledge management processes (knowledge creation and knowledge sharing) support and supplement each other as well as improve knowledge utilization. This means that shared and created knowledge will not enhance the productivity of knowledge workers until organizations strive for knowledge utilization. This study used data collected from 336 knowledge workers in the Telecom industry of Pakistan and examined it using partial least squares modelling. The findings indicated that knowledge utilization is the sole frontline and primary knowledge management to enhance the productivity of knowledge workers. Hence, knowledge utilization can only influence productivity indirectly by increasing the utilization of knowledge created and/or shared.

Influence of Knowledge Management on Business Processes: Value-Added and Sustainability Perspectives

Knowledge management (KM) practice is increasingly less considered as a supportive activity, as knowledge management processes (KMP) are inseparable from critical business processes (BP). Even though some scientific studies underlined that KM integration into BP are expensive and slow due to many organizational barriers, their sustainable value to organizations is undeniable. Although KMPs’ interactions have been studied in the scientific literature, there is still a lack of comprehensive studies related to knowledge-intensive organizations’ practices on the impact of the whole KM cycle—consisting of knowledge creation, sharing, storage, and application—on BP, such as development, production, and sales, for creating value-added (VA) and sustainability. In order to identify interconnections between individual KMP and BP, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of KMP on BP to support the continuous improvement of BP and the creation of VA in knowledge-intensive organizations. A research model was developed to analyze the impact of KMP on BP and VA perspectives. An empirical study was performed in Lithuanian project management companies that used BP in their operations and involved 144 managers from 72 IT organizations. Survey (structured questionnaire) and statistical analysis methods (one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); Pearson’s correlation analysis; multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis; cluster analysis and chi-square analysis) were applied in this study. The research results confirmed that every KMP positively affected individual BP, where knowledge creation had the most significant impact. The hypothesis that every KMP positively affected the VA created in an organization was partially confirmed since knowledge sharing and creation had a strong influence. The study demonstrated that KMP as a whole had a positive effect on the central BP, change (improvement) of BP increased VA created in organizations, and BP acted as a mediator of the positive correlation between KMP and the VA. The effectiveness of individual KMP depended on the size of the organization. As a result, the study confirmed that KMP in organizations could not be performed separately and had to be integrated into BP to maximize the VA. The significance of the research model lay not only in its ability to identify the influence of KMP on the VA created in organizations but also in evaluating each KMP individually.

Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Knowledge Management in Construction

Considerable progress has been made in the development and deployment of knowledge management (KM) systems in the construction industry. These have included a variety of technology and non-technology-based solutions that have had varying levels of impact on organizational knowledge management. Very few of the technology-based solutions adopted any artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The current resurgence of AI and data analytics presents a tremendous opportunity to re-engineer knowledge management systems such that they are a much more powerful and critical component of an organization’s business infrastructure. This paper starts with a review of the evolution of knowledge management in construction sector organizations, and highlights the potential for AI-based KM. It also discusses the resurgence of AI and data analytics, and highlights the key technologies that could play a role in enhancing construction KM. Drawing on specific KM sub-processes, it describes the applicability of some AI techniques to organizational KM processes and systems. The benefits of the proposed AI-based KM are also presented.

Influence of national culture on knowledge management process: literature review and research agenda

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore, understand and investigate the relationship between national culture and knowledge management (KM) process.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on systematically and objectively capturing the contents of extant research papers published by researchers in this area by using the literature review methodology.FindingsThe study demonstrates significant relationship between national culture and KM process. Further, it also provides directions for future research.Practical implicationsThe study will help top management to understand and appreciate the impact of national culture on KM process in organization, where people from different nations are working together. The management may apply appropriate organizational interventions to manage people of different national cultures in effective manner and effective utilization of knowledge of the organization through KM process. This paper will be considered as a quick reference and resource for anyone interested in this area.Originality/valueThis study is a comprehensive literature review of influence of national culture on KM process. Further, it also sets the research agenda for future researchers.

Modelo de gestión del conocimiento apoyado en las tecnologías de información y comunicación

Las tecnologías de información y comunicación (TIC) ofrecen la posibilidad de agilizar los procesos, obtener información veraz, oportuna y confiable, lo que lleva a generar una ventaja competitiva a largo plazo; un gran número de empresas hacen uso de la tecnología en cada uno de los procesos que se llevan a cabo de manera interna o externa en la organización, y una de las actividades principales dentro de una empresa soportada por el uso de las TIC está en el área de finanzas, contabilidad y auditoría. En este entorno los profesionales de las áreas mencionadas (contadores) deberían contar con la competencia del conocimiento y uso de este tipo de herramientas en su quehacer profesional con el fin de convertirse en una ventaja competitiva sostenida dentro de un proceso de gestión de conocimiento organizacional. Por lo anterior, se realiza una discusión acerca de los distintos modelos de gestión de conocimiento existentes, se toma como base el modelo de Nonaka y Takehuchi por ser el más utilizado y aceptado, se replantea dicho modelo ya existente incorporando el rol de las TIC en el campo específico de la contabilidad. El modelo propuesto puede evaluarse y posteriormente replicarse y adaptarse para otras profesiones.

Analisis BCOR Mempengaruhi Adopsi Sistem Manajemen Pengetahuan (KMS)

Manajemen Pengetahuan sebagai pendekatan dalam pengembangan Sistem Informasi digunakan untuk mengembangkan Sistem Manajemen Pengetahuan sebagai teknologi pendukung. Sistem Manajemen Pengetahuan dapat didefinisikan dengan menyelaraskan Proses Manajemen Pengetahuan dalam organisasi. Knowledge Management System (KMS) pada saat ini telah menjadi kebutuhan penting bagi perusahaan. Knowledge Management System (KMS) membantu perusahaan untuk menyimpan pengetahuan yang dimiliki oleh karyawannya untuk menangani perputaran karyawan, memberikan keunggulan kompetitif, dan meningkatkan efektivitas operasi perusahaan. Namun, ketika melakukan implementasi KMS diperlukan kesiapan dan persiapan untuk menerapkan sistem baru tidak menjadi kesia-siaan. Penelitian ini bermaksud untuk mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor KMS yang diadopsi di universitas swasta sebagai bagian dari persiapan sebelum implementasi KMS di dalamnya. Dalam penelitian ini, penulis mengambil studi kasus pada Universitas XYZ di Palembang sebagai media penelitian dengan menggunakan Analisis Biaya Manfaat Oppotuniy dan Risiko (BCOR) sebagai metode penelitian. Pada tahap pengolahan data ini, Penulis menggunakan Aplikasi Expert Choice sebagai bantuan dalam pengolahan data menggunakan tahapan AHP untuk menemukan faktor prioritas dalam mengadopsi KMS di universitas swasta. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor prioritas yang mempengaruhi dalam mengadopsi KMS di Universitas XYZ di Palembang adalah faktor Optimasi kriteria peluang.

Change readiness: creating understanding and capability for the knowledge acquisition process

Purpose – This study aims to show how change readiness shapes the knowledge acquisition process. The study elicits change readiness factors, at the individual and firm levels, that influence the knowledge acquisition process and are based on the context of professional service firms. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative study is grounded in interpretive philosophy and adopts a multiple-case study design. Three New Zealand Professional Service firms were analyzed for this study. Using grounded theory analysis, categories and concepts of change readiness that shape knowledge acquisition were identified. Findings – Knowledge acquisition understanding, knowledge acquisition context and individual differences, represent primary dimensions defining change readiness for the knowledge acquisition process. Finally, distinctive firm archetypes, inter-profession differences and professionals’ demography, affect the way change readiness elements shape the knowledge acquisition process in the firms studied. Research limitations/implications – The study develops a theoretical model that shows how elements of change readiness, at the individual and organizational levels, influence knowledge acquisition. The study offers several propositions that could be tested in future studies. The study involves three professional service firms; hence, interpretation of the findings is limited. Practical implications – A holistic understanding of change readiness factors that influence knowledge acquisition could mitigate failures of knowledge management processes in organizations. Originality/value – It is the first empirical study that seeks to develop a theory on how change readiness elements influence knowledge acquisitions in the organization. To offer more contextualized findings, the study is done within the professional service industry.

Developing a Conceptual Framework for Knowledge Sharing Behavior by Considering Emotional , Social and Cognitive Intelligence Competencies

Present age is called knowledge economy age. Hence, many organizations think about using tools like knowledge management for their survival. Human activities such as knowledge sharing among organizational members are the basis of knowledge management process in organizations. In many scientific articles, the impact of human traits such as intelligent on knowledge is discussed. Present study is a descriptive survey - type. It aims at studying the impact of employees' intelligent components on knowledge sharing behavior. Data collection method is a three - part questionnaire and the sample size includes 105 employees of an organizations. Content validity was supported by elites and the reliability of the questionnaire was proved by Chronbach's alpha ratio. All data were analyzed by correlation test and multivariate regression. Likewise, intelligent components were studied by Boyatzis' model. Research findings indicate that social intelligence and emotional intelligence impact on knowledge sharing behavior positively and significantly. Also, the relationship between the aspects of emotional intelligence (self - management, self - awareness) and the aspects of social intelligence (social awareness and relations management) with knowledge sharing behavior was supported.

Development of Knowledge Management Processes in Organization (Case Study: Squares Organization of Tehran)

The purpose of present research is to examine the relationship between criteria of knowledge management and processes of knowledge management. This study is a type of applied research that uses a survey method in order to investigate about the processes of knowledge management within Squares organization of Tehran. The population consists of all managers and staff working in Squares organization of Tehran. Through random sampling method, 360 subjects were selected and questionnaires were distributed. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was adapted in order to measure normal distribution. Considering the level of significance, normality of distribution was approved. In following, to compare criteria of knowledge management with processes of knowledge management, the group hierarchical analysis method was utilized. This research is not going to provide fixed processes for knowledge management within the organization, though it aims at development of strategies for proper selection of criteria of developing the processes based on nature of business in each organization as well as appropriate formulation of knowledge management processes. The final result is to choose main criteria of knowledge management and development of knowledge management processes within the organization in accordance with the selected criteria.

Designing a Conceptual Framework of Knowledge Management Process in Banks

In an era characterized by changing customer requirements, decreasing product life cycles and complex systems and processes, knowledge centric activities are becoming the primary source of sustainable competitive advantage in manufacturing and service organizations. In this regard knowledge is considered as the most important organizational resource. (Penrose 1959) (1) .It is this knowledge which has the capability to generate new knowledge, which can be disseminated to the relevant points of actions and embodied into the systems, processes, products and services. One of the important reasons that organizations have focused on Knowledge Management is because it employs a holistic approach through the acquisition, creation, organizing, sharing and applying of knowledge. The implementation of knowledge management in an organization according to (Shankar and Gupta, 2005) (2) involves the integration of knowledge from the domains of strategy, structure, processes, and technology, thus, making it difficult for the organizations to do so. The literature review suggests that knowledge is essential for organization's profit(Yang &Chen,2007) (3) as it reduces the operating cost, increases the returns to scale and adds value to the organization (Ofek and Sarvary, 2001) (4) but Nonaka (2007) (5) feels that organizations of the 21 st century are far from creating adequate knowledge-based competence necessary for gaining competitive advantage. The difficulty for many organizations stems from the fact that there is a lack of a coherent framework to guide the implementation of Knowledge Management process in organizations' especially as we move away from simple tasks to organization-wide complex problems. In order to understand the circulation of knowledge a simple list of elements and processes is inadequate. There is a need for a holistic framework where all are integrated into a dynamic coherent whole. Thus this paper focuses on identifying a relevant framework for the process of capturing the knowledge flow in Banks and identifying whether different categories of banks score the same or different in terms of the process components of the knowledge management identifying the reasons and thereby suggesting the remedial measures.

Investigating Individuals' Intention to be Involved in Knowledge Management Process

Problem statement: Implementation of Knowledge Management (KM) process in organizations is considered as essential to be competitive in the present competitive world. Though the modern KM practices highly depend on technology, individuals (‘organizational members’) intention to be involved in KM process plays a major role in the success. Hence, the evaluation of individuals’ intention is deemed as significant before the actual implementation of KM process in organizations. Nevertheless, inadequate information is presented in this regard; as a result, a wide research gap prevails in the literature. In this context, the present study focuses on developing a research frame work that can be used to measure the individual intention to be involved in KM process. Approach: Subsequent to a critical analysis of the research gaps, a basic research model has been developed based on knowledge creation theory, KM enablers, and individual acceptance model. Measurers and questionnaire items were identified for each variable from relevant literature. Consequently, the reliability of the instrument was tested among academic staff of a Malaysian university. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha for each variable is more than 0.800 that exhibits the reliability of the instruments. Conclusion: The presented research framework might be a doorstep for future study in this area of KM. Moreover, practitioners may use the proposed framework to measure the intention of individuals to be involved in KM process before actually embarking to it. However, the framework and the model should be tested in different socio cultural and organizational climate to make it robust.

The social psychology of knowledge management

PurposeThis article seeks to address the social aspects of handling knowledge and information. For this purpose, it considers findings from social psychology and discusses their applicability in knowledge management research and practice.Design/methodology/approachThe article presents a selective but systematical review of recent social psychological literature that can be applied for knowledge management purposes.FindingsTwo social psychological concepts that strongly influence knowledge processes in organizations are first introduced: social norms and social identity. Two types of social processes that are particularly relevant for knowledge management subsequently take center stage in this article: knowledge sharing and knowledge processing in organizations. The roles social norms and social identity play in knowledge sharing and knowledge processing are then assessed.Originality/valueImplications for knowledge management practice are considered: among other implications, it is discussed what computer‐mediated support can contribute to knowledge management processes in organizations with respect to both knowledge sharing and knowledge processing.

Expanding Group Support System Capabilities from the Knowledge Management Perspective

ABSTRACT A group support system (GSS) is a computer-based system that enables people in different places to discuss and make decisions on connected computers. Expanding GSS capabilities from knowledge management perspective is believed to significantly improve performance and satisfaction of group meetings. This study develops organizational knowledge management process, proposed by Alavi and Leidner (2001), to expand capabilities of a GSS. Additionally, a prototype system has been implemented. Finally, an experiment is conducted to evaluate system and demonstrate its applicability and usability. Experimental results indicate that users perceive a web-based GSS with knowledge management capabilities to be more helpful and more satisfying than a conventional GSS. They also perceived that using a web-based GSS with knowledge management capabilities can improve decision quality. INTRODUCTION Accompanied by organizational expansion and globalization, organizational decisions making are become more multi-faceted considerations for conforming to stakeholder, legislation, environment and macro economic situation. Organizational decisions are much more complex and interconnected now than in past (Courtney, 2001). Organizations now encounter with more complicated and chaotic environments than before, and thus require unequivocal decisions for rapidly to responding to critical situations. Banker and Kauffman (2004) concluded that decision makers need to discriminate between imperfect and perfect information. Decisions might be made not only by single person, but also by groups of specialists in related spheres. Communication technology can be employed to collect experts and veterans experiences in group meeting, and meet requirements of ameliorate group decision efficiency of IT researchers. Liou and Nunamaker (1999) conclude that Group Support Systems (GSS) environment can electronically facilitates seizure of knowledge. Nevertheless, until now, there are only a few GSS studies have contributed significantly to make true design-science research. Consequently, this investigation, proposes a prototype of web-based GSS with group memory and knowledge context in order to enhance efficiency of access to knowledge in GSS. A critical component of GSS-based concept-generation process is group memory, which is a granary of ideas formed by users of GSS (Satzinger, et al., 1999). Group meetings play a significant role in daily operation of most businesses. Neustadt and May (1986) observed that the future has no place to come from but past. Decision makers must understand how past affects their present decisions. In troublesome circumstance, it is controversially that any good decision could be made in a single meeting with few persons (Huber, 1990). Hence, GSS combined with collective memory is likely to provide additional information processing support (Paul et al., 2004). Williams, et al. (1988) asserted that GSS provides academics with an extraordinary opportunity to tell comprehensive details of group member interactions. Satzinger, et al., (1999) stated that group memory provides stimuli, in form of ideas, to individuals using software. Liou and Nunamaker (1990) concluded that a group meeting supported by GSS can facilitate electronic acquisition of knowledge, and distill individual experts' knowledge in a parallel fashion. Paul, et al. (2004) argued that information and knowledge are not easily accessible in large organizations and that use of group memory is expected to provide information processing support. Therefore, a shared repository that preserves prior experience of group members for group meetings needs to be developed. Orlikowski (1992) noted that group members' mental models and organization skeletons and conventions eventually affect how GSS is implemented and applied in organization. …