PurposeThe rationale of this study is to explore the stages of knowledge management, types of organizational culture and their relationship in higher educational technical institutions (HETIs) in India.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument has been designed to evaluate knowledge management, organizational culture and their relationship. Further, the instrument has been tested and validated using structural equation modelling. The data have been collected from the faculty working in HETIs.FindingsEmpirical pieces of evidence support that knowledge management in the HETIs is still in the growth stage. Clan-type organization culture is dominating, and there is a significant and positive relationship between knowledge management and organization culture.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been conducted in the HETIs of India. Therefore, the outcome of the research cannot be generalized to the other sectors. In addition to this, the data have been limited to 233 faculty from the eight HETIs located in Bangalore.Practical implicationsHETIs are trying hard to improve the employability of the students by enhancing their skill sets, knowledge, attitude and innovativeness to meet global challenges. In such an environment, this study provides insight into the stages of knowledge management and the type of organizational culture in HETIs, which will help build a strategic plan and improve students' attributes for better employability and innovations.Originality/valueA positive relationship exists between the knowledge management process and organizational culture in HETIs.