Role Of Knowledge Management Systems Research Articles

Undesirable Knowledge Behaviours and Task Conflict in Hospitals: Effects on Quality of Care

Knowledge management systems in the healthcare context are designed to facilitate knowledge flows and to integrate ways of capturing, leveraging, and sharing knowledge effectively. However, knowledge management implementation is often challenging and driven by the complex and multifaceted nature of healthcare knowledge, albeit related to high performance healthcare outcomes. The social nature of knowledge brings forth additional complexities and managerial challenges that can be related to individual undesirable knowledge behaviours - such as knowledge hiding and knowledge hoarding. Undesirable knowledge behaviours reflect human-based activities that jeopardize decision-making and performance by consciously and unconsciously hindering knowledge flows inside organizations. Such loss of important information can promote disagreements surrounding allocation of resources, contributing to dissonant goals and perspectives that shape task conflict. To that end, the purpose of our work is to understand the influencing role of knowledge management systems, knowledge hoarding, knowledge hiding and task conflict as contributors shaping quality of care in hospitals. We follow a quantitative approach, using partial least-squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationships between variables from our original empirical model. Research data comes after a survey conducted to 318 healthcare professionals working in Portuguese hospitals. Main findings show that knowledge management systems positively contribute to knowledge hoarding behaviour, while also presenting a positive influence on the quality of care provided by the hospital. Additionally, knowledge management systems are negatively related to the existence of task conflict between healthcare professionals. Conversely, results show that knowledge hiding is positively related to task conflict–being the latter a negative predictor of quality of care. Moreover, results show that knowledge hoarding positively affects quality of care. Our research offers an original contribution to healthcare management by providing insight on the influence of knowledge related systems and behaviours and their influence on the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals. Theoretical and practical contributions driving future action and research are presented.

KNOWLEDGE TYPE AND NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH SUCCESS: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The process of new product launch success is crucial for the corporate success of a firm. The purpose of this research is to explore the critical role of knowledge management system in leveraging knowledge type to improve new product launch success within the context of leather gloves industry in Pakistan. Data were collected from 429 leather gloves firms in Sialkot Pakistan using quantitative survey questionnaire. The participants were 211 product managers of leather gloves firms in Sialkot Pakistan. This study adopts the partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for the purpose of data analysis. As such, the results of the analysis revealed that knowledge management system, knowledge tacitness, and knowledge complexity, all have direct significant positive impact on new product launch success. Interestingly, knowledge management system was not found to moderate the relationship between knowledge type and new product launch success. This study is one of the few that investigated the moderating effect of knowledge management system on the relationship between knowledge type and new product launch success among product managers in the leather gloves industry. The results contribute extensive inputs beneficial for policymakers, the government of Pakistan, firm owners, product managers, as well as other stakeholders to formulate successful policies and practices.

A new model for investigating the role of knowledge management system on the mental health of employees

Purpose Knowledge management (KM) implementation is the ideal solution for enhancing employee’s abilities like mental health and performance. This study aims at testing the impact of KM mechanism on personnel’s mental health at the Iran University of Medical Sciences. Design/methodology/approach The study is a descriptive, correlational and applied one. The library and field studies have been used to collect data through the questionnaire. The proposed model and the data have been analyzed using Smart PLS software. A questionnaire has been conducted by an arbitrary sampling method. Findings The results have shown that the main factors of KM have a direct, meaningful positive impact on innovation. Besides, the critical parameters of KM success, strategy and process have a significant and direct positive effect on the tendency for knowledge-sharing behavior. Further, the direct relationship of the trend for knowledge-sharing behavior with the mental health of employees has positively been confirmed. The results have also indicated that psychological empowerment has a positive and significant effect on the mental health of employees. Research limitations/implications This study has investigated the four parameters (i.e. key factors for KM success, KM strategy, KM processes and psychological empowerment) impacting the knowledge-sharing intention, conduct of the people and the mental health of the employees. Scholars can investigate other personal and organizational parameters such as probable backgrounds of the knowledge-sharing intention, conduct and the mental health of the employees. Practical implications These findings will be essential in the understanding of the interplay among various signals in theory and the understanding of patients’ choices in the electronic health (e-health) community in practice. The results have implications for existing health management and e-health literature. The present paper will help policymakers, healthcare executives and project managers to effectively set their operations and make them maintainable, prevent unpredicted obstacles and better allocate their resources. Overall, the result of this paper will guide researchers who are working in the field of e-health. Originality/value The findings can develop robust knowledge-sharing platforms and offer insightful suggestions for management practitioners in emerging markets.

Artificial intelligence and business models in the sustainable development goals perspective: A systematic literature review

This paper investigates the literary corpus on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the construction of sustainable business models (SBMs). It provides a quantitative overview of the academic literature that constitutes the field. The paper discusses the relationships between AI and rapid developments in machine learning and sustainable development (SD). Specifically, the aim is to understand whether this branch of computer science can influence production and consumption patterns to achieve sustainable resource management according to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda. Moreover, the paper aims to highlight the role of Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) in the cultural drift toward the spread of AI for SBMs. Despite the importance of the topic, there is no comprehensive review of the AI and SBM literature in light of SDGs. Based on a database containing 73 publications in English with publication dates from 1990 to 2019, a bibliometric analysis is conducted. The findings show that the innovation challenge involves ethical, social, economic, and legal aspects. Thus, considering that the development potential of AI is linked to the UN 2030 Agenda for SD, especially to SDG#12, our results also outline the framework of the existing literature on AI and SDGs, especially SDG#12, including AI’s association with the cultural drift (CD) in the SBMs. The paper highlights the key contributions, which are: i) a comprehensive review of the key underlying relationship between AI and SBMs, offering a holistic view as needed, ii) identifying a research gap regarding KMS through AI, and iii) the implications of AI concerning SDG#12. Academic and managerial implications are also discussed regarding KMS in the SBMs, where the AI can represent the vehicle to meet the SDGs allowing for the identification of the cultural change required by enterprises to achieve sustainable goals. Thus, business companies, academic research practitioners, and state policy should focus on the further development of the use of AI in SBMs.

The impact of knowledge management system on student performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically test the role of knowledge management system (KMS) on the performance of students in higher educational institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachBuilding on the extensive review of literature, the authors explored the factors of KMS to arrive at the conceptual model which was then validated using structural equation modeling. For the quantitative analysis, data were collected from undergraduate students using questionnaires distributed both through online and offline modes.FindingsEmpirical evidence supports the view that KMS have a direct and significant impact on the student performance (SP) in HEIs.Research limitations/implicationsThe data are limited to 311 undergraduate students from the University of Delhi, India.Practical implicationsWith the onset of national rankings framework like NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) and the attempt to achieve global recognition in THE (Times Higher Education), Quacquarelli Symonds and other world university rankings, the HEIs are trying hard to improve their performance comprehensively. In such a scenario, this paper provides insights into how HEIs can enhance performance of its students by harnessing KMS.Originality/valueThe current paper empirically validates the effect of KMS on the performance of students in an educational institution. While the impact of KMS on performance is measured empirically in corporations, such studies are scanty in academic centers. Moreover, while measuring the performance in HEIs using KM, the focus on ranking parameters has never been there. Such an orientation is essential as the rankings are getting wide acceptance from a global audience.

The importance of knowledge management systems for service industry companies operating locally and internationally

This article aims to analyze the role of knowledge management systems (KMS) in knowledge processes taking place in particular types of service industry companies operating in Poland and checks the importance of these tools for such firms’ competitiveness in the current globalized world. This study distinguishes among companies that operate only locally (in Poland), and those that are on particular levels of internationalization process. This article is based on quantitative research in which 381 service industry firms were examined. The analysis show relatively large differences in the intensity of KMS usage among particular groups of service industry companies. These tools are especially intensively used by information technology (IT) and telecommunication as well as transport companies, and, in turn, less intensively by real estate as well as hotel and restaurant enterprises. Analysis has also shown that intensity of KMS usage among firms on any level of internationalization is considerably higher than among those operating locally. However, the most important finding is that intensive use of KMS in service companies is associated with being more competitive than those using KMS less intensely, and this difference is statistically significant.

A Mediating Role of Knowledge Management System in the Relationship between Information Technology Infrastructure and E-Government Performance

This paper as a qualitative paper attempts to review extant research in term of e-government performance, knowledge management system, and information technology infrastructure. Nowadays, various countries are trying to improve their performance by using information technology. In this regard, knowledge management can be considered an influential factor which plays a vital role in the relationship between IT infrastructure and e-government performance. In the sequel, this paper proposes a framework which can be applied for future study.

Knowledge Management Systems and Disaster Management in Malaysia: An Action Research Approach

This paper examines the role of knowledge management systems (KMS) for disaster planning and response in the context of social work in Malaysia. The research is focused on the client — the Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW), where a web-based system to support disaster management was developed and implemented. The research objectives required the researchers' direct involvement with the MASW. Canonical Action Research (CAR) was used as the research methodology. The process and outcomes of this action research initiative is presented based on the five-stage CAR approach, consisting of (i) problem diagnosis, (ii) action planning, (iii) intervention, (iv) evaluation and (v) learning outcomes. The evaluation of the system is supported by quantitative analysis driven by survey instrumentation. Our findings suggests that successful utilisation of the system in the context of MASW's efforts and roles in disaster management in Malaysia, is contingent upon issues such as acceptance of KMS, and availability of resources to maintain the system. Other issues such as clear definition of the role of Information Technology (IT) for disaster management and willingness to share knowledge are also vital in this regard.

THE ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR INNOVATION: AN ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY PERSPECTIVE

What is the role of Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) for a firm's innovativeness and absorptive capacity (ACAP)? Research shows that a firm's capacity to acquire and utilise relevant knowledge, i.e., its absorptive capacity, is decisive for innovation success. We develop a theoretical model that links the availability and usage of KMS with a firm's ACAP and its organisational knowledge to explain its contribution for a firm's innovation success. Using data from 222 manufacturing firms, we can show that the availability of a KMS in a firm affects its innovation success by contributing to its ACAP. Looking at the impact of different knowledge types on innovativeness, the results show that only technological knowledge is a substantial determinant of innovation success but not market knowledge.

A literature review on growth models and strategies: The missing link in entrepreneurial growth

Article history: Received May 1, 2013 Received in revised format 10 July 2013 Accepted 12 July 2013 Available online August 2 2013 This study focuses on the importance of growth models, growth strategies, role of knowledge management system in the formulation of effective strategy for the enterprises following growth. Choice of an appropriate growth strategy is at the heart of any successful entrepreneurial venture. Selection of a strategy may be effective for one entrepreneur while it is not for other. Choice of Growth Strategy depends on various different factors, organisational context and environment which may vary from enterprise to enterprise. Resource based view is very important consideration for the entrepreneurs on the path of growth. Evaluation of all kind of resources helps them to grow their enterprises successfully. Selection of an appropriate growth strategy allows the entrepreneurs in overcoming growth challenges and avoiding the growth reversals and setbacks. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Integration and Impact of Effective Knowledge Management Systems in the Advancement of the Decision Making Process in Complex Organizations to Realize Economic Growth

One could argue that the rise of discourse surrounding the role of knowledge management systems in economic growth coincides with the technocratic progression of society itself. To understand the current state of discourse surrounding role of knowledge management systems on the decision making process, it is beneficial to understand the contribution made by theoretical precursors in laying the foundation upon which contemporary theories as well as the discourse, rests. The field of knowledge engineering is shifting from the archetypal transfer perspective to a more simulative modeling perspective which requires modeling the human decision making process and problem solving techniques of the domain expert into the artificial intelligence system to facilitate effective knowledge based improvement strategies in complex organizations. The research will highlight the application of technological fixes to address sociological challenges paying particular attention to elements that incentivize private firms and governments to invest in knowledge management systems to maximize productivity and growth.

The role of intelligent agents in customer knowledge management

Customers are known as a brilliant source of knowledge for the companies, because they gain knowledge and expertise while selecting and using products or services. Customer knowledge management is a new stage of relationship management between organizations and the customers. Most of the models in the literature are focused on human resources to set up a framework to exchange knowledge with the customers. In this paper, the applicability of agent-based systems to the customer knowledge management was investigated. As a feasibility study, characteristics of the agents and their role in knowledge management systems were reviewed in advance. Then, the requirements of customer knowledge management systems were described. Finally, using an introductory model, the applicability of the intelligent agents in customer knowledge management systems were shown and discussed. Key words: Customer knowledge management, agent based knowledge management, customer relationship management, agent mediated customer knowledge management.

Organizational Culture for Knowledge Management Systems

Knowledge is increasingly being viewed as a critical component for organizations. It is largely people-based and the characteristics of groups of individuals, in the form of organizational cultures, may play a key role in the factors that lead to either the acceptance or rejection of knowledge management systems (KMS). The primary objective of this research is to explore how dimensions of organizational culture influence factors that lead to the acceptance of KMS. While researchers have agreed that culture plays an important role in KMS, the literature has only recently begun to examine organizational culture within this context. We examined the effects of three dimensions of organizational culture through a research model that was tested and analyzed utilizing a field survey of corporate knowledge management users. Our results indicated that both process-oriented and open communication system organizational cultures significantly influenced the factors that led to the acceptance of KMS.

Knowledge systems and value creation

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the role of knowledge management systems (KMS) in promoting value creation in the construction sector.Design/methodology/approachAn action research methodology using a multiple case study approach, which includes participant observation and semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThe findings indicate that KMS promote value creation when they embed and nurture the social conditions that bind and bond team members together. Also, to be effective KMS should be incorporated within a change management programme that promotes a “participatory” type of culture while taking into account the team‐based structure and discipline‐oriented nature of the construction industry. Therefore, much more consideration should be given to organisational change issues prior to deployment of KMS.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to organisations from the construction industry, but can be generalised to organisations from other sectors that exhibit similar characteristics.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used to guide management teams in deploying KMS to foster value creation as part of a wider change management programme.Originality/valueWhile related research tends to adopt an objectivist or subjectivist approach to knowledge management (KM), the present research argues that a third approach is required where issues related to technology, culture, and organisation must be blended successfully to address complex organisational barriers to effective KM leading to value creation.

Claremont Colleges Emergency Preparedness: An Action Research Initiative

This study examines the role of knowledge management systems in the context of emergency preparedness at Claremont University Consortium. The research objectives required the researcher's direct involvement with CUC. Canonical action research methodology was used to guide the project. Overall, the client was satisfied with the project's outcome. The researcher designed and implemented an instantiation of a web-based knowledge management system using Wiki technology. This system can assist CUC in overcoming some of its immediate concerns with emergency preparedness. These include the ability of the system to facilitate the communication process, and enable a more structured approach for documenting and storing emergency related information. The system as it exists today is subject to further improvement. This includes the need for continuous training with the system, improving the navigational aspects, and seeking a better fit between the system and the emergency planning and response processes.