Performance of knowledge management practices: a causal analysis

This study explores the role of knowledge management (KM) processes in enhancing strategic performance within private banks in the Erbil-Kurdistan region of Iraq. Using a quantitative research approach, data was collected from 122 employees through structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression and correlation analyses. The findings reveal that KM processes—Knowledge Management Practices, Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Storage and Retrieval, and addressing Challenges in KM Implementation—significantly influence strategic performance. Among these, Knowledge Storage and Retrieval demonstrated the strongest impact, followed by Knowledge Management Practices and Knowledge Creation. The R-squared value of 82% indicates that KM processes collectively explain a substantial portion of the variance in strategic performance. The study highlights the importance of fostering innovation, collaboration, and efficient knowledge systems to drive organizational success. Recommendations include investing in KM infrastructure, promoting a knowledge-sharing culture, and addressing implementation challenges. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on KM's critical role in achieving strategic objectives and provides practical implications for organizations aiming to enhance performance through effective knowledge management.

This study aims to examine the interrelationships between knowledge management infrastructure, knowledge management processes, intellectual capital, and organizational performance. To achieve this objective, a quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire to assess our research model with a convenience sample of 185 faculty and staff members from Saudi universities. The findings indicate that knowledge management infrastructure has a significant positive effect on knowledge management processes. Moreover, these processes positively impact both intellectual capital and organizational performance, while also strengthening the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure and intellectual capital. However, it is noteworthy that knowledge management infrastructure did not directly correlate with organizational performance. These results underscore the critical role of knowledge management processes as mediators and highlight the limitations of relying solely on infrastructure to directly enhance organizational performance.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the role of knowledge management (KM) processes in enhancing competitive strategies of differentiation and cost-effectiveness and its impact on innovativeness in knowledge-intensive service organizations (KISOs) in India.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected data from 293 employees working in Indian KISOs through a questionnaire survey. After checking for reliability and validity of data, this study tested the hypotheses by structural equation modeling using AMOS 26.FindingsThe results show that KM processes have a significant and positive relationship with competitive strategy and innovativeness. Competitive strategy partially mediates the relationship between KM processes and innovativeness. These KM processes promote differentiation and cost-effectiveness, which in turn enhances innovativeness. A differentiation strategy has a stronger positive relationship with KM processes and innovativeness than a cost-effective strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's cross-sectional design limits its ability to establish a general cause–effect relationship. Even so, theoretically, the results corroborate the contingent view of KM in emerging economies such as India. The findings show the mediating role of competitive strategy on the relationship between KM and its processes with innovation and competitiveness – providing a better cost-effectiveness relationship and organizational differentiation capacity.Practical implicationsThis study suggests managers to adopt KM processes such as creation-sharing, acquisition and knowledge base enabling firms to be different and cost-effective than their competitors. This study provides evidence on how KISOs can leverage their innovativeness by using KM processes in congruence with its competitive strategy and gain competitive advantage.Social implicationsThis study emphasizes the development of KM processes in the management of KISOs, which contributes substantially to India’s economic growth via Gross domestic product and employment. On the social side, this study suggests to manage cultural issues in KM processes, arising because of presence of multi-cultural workforce and a high-power distance society.Originality/valueThis study bridges a research gap of previous studies providing empirical evidence regarding the mediating effect of competitive strategies in the relationship between KM processes and innovativeness. This study adds proof to the KM contingency view of firms, suggesting when KM processes are formulated to achieve competitive strategy; substantial benefits such as innovativeness can be realized. This study adds evidence from the emerging economy of India, where KISOs are increasingly creating value and employment.

Управление знаниями – это деятельность, в ходе которой знания эффективно накапливаются, распространяются и применяются, что приводит к повышению продуктивности и эффективности работы организации. Основная цель данного исследования – проанализировать влияние процессов и возможностей управления знаниями на эффективность малых и средних предприятий (МСП) в Саудовской Аравии. Возможности управления знаниями включают персонал, информационные технологии (ИТ), организационную структуру и организационную культуру, которые в данном исследовании характеризуются Т-образными компетенциями, ИТ-поддержкой, уровнем централизации и обучением. Другим аспектом являются процессы управления знаниями, включающие доступ к знаниям, их создание, внедрение, представление, стимулирование, использование, оценку и трансфер. Эффективность управления знаниями измеряется посредством двух факторов, к числу которых относятся финансовая эффективность организации и удовлетворенность клиентов. Исследование основано на обзоре литературы по управлению знаниями, включая процессы, возможности и эффективность. На этой основе разработана модель исследования и выдвинуты гипотезы. Данные получены путем опроса, в котором приняли участие 126 менеджеров, работающих в МСП разных отраслей в Саудовской Аравии. С помощью ряда статистических тестов исследование показало, что возможности управления знаниями, ИТ-поддержка, обучение, децентрализация и персонал предприятия вносят значимый вклад в успех практики и процессов управления знаниями, тем самым подтверждая теоретическую модель. Исследование также показало, что процессы управления знаниями, включая доступ к знаниям, их создание, оценку, трансфер, использование, внедрение, представление и стимулирование, позитивно связаны с эффективностью МСП в Саудовской Аравии.

This paper aims to present an integrated outlook of knowledge performance by reviewing the linkage between knowledge management (KM) infrastructure and organizational learning dimensions. The study endorses infrastructure capabilities i.e. culture, structure, technology and human resource to influence learning which subsequently leads to enhance knowledge performance within organizational context. A systematic review has been applied to assess KM literature including prior conceptual and research studies that help to substantiate the linkages among KM infrastructure, organizational learning and knowledge performance. The proposed conceptual model provides insights for managers and strategists to analyze the role of KM infrastructure in improving learning practices and knowledge performance. Furthermore, this study emphasizes on enabling learning processes and knowledge infrastructure dimensions, particularly mentioned by Lee and Choi (2003). In spite of various researches in KM there is still a need to review the linkages among the key elements which may affect knowledge performance. This paper contributes to the KM literature by adjoining KM infrastructure to organizational learning and visualizes the integrative effect that may enhance knowledge performance. Study limitations and future scope of the study has also been discussed in the later section.

Knowledge Management(KM) is a key concept in today's business world. Knowledge is an intellectual asset for each organization. Knowledge Management, the systematic management of organizational knowledge - a strategic corporate asset thus is captured, transferred, shared and, utilized for organizational competitiveness. To get the most value from a company's intellectual assets, KM practitioners should maintain and manage it for long term benefits. It is imperative to acknowledge the knowledge and such a discipline of KM is now well-established in many large organizations and they practice in a better way. This has been neglected amongst Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) especially the auto component firms. Therefore, this research study has been conducted in Auto Component SMEs of Pune Region to understand KM Infrastructure dimensions such as culture, employee participation, leadership, rewarding with incentives and training and mentoring followed amongst the SMEs and its impact on Knowledge Acquisition and Capture dimension of KM process. The findings appear that in SMEs, there is a significant impact of training and mentoring on knowledge acquisition and capture. Rest of the KM infrastructure dimensions like culture, employee participation, leadership and rewarding with incentives are not having significant impact on Knowledge acquisition and capture.

This paper examines a framework between different knowledge management enablers (KMEs), knowledge management (KM) processes and organisational performance. Forty-six KMEs are selected from literature and experts' opinion from industry and academia. Further, these 46 KMEs are grouped into six major constructs. These KMEs supports the socialisation, externalisation, combination, internalisation (SECI) KM processes and organisational performance (operational performance, financial performance and customer satisfaction). The postal survey methodology is used to collect the data from Indian manufacturing organisations. The collected survey data was analysed for the construct, content, criterion-related validation and reliability analysis. Additionally, structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to test the relationship between KMEs, SECI KM process and organisational performance. The finding suggests positive relationship exists between KMEs, SECI KM process and organisational performance. The successful KMEs implementation improves the SECI KM processes which enhance the organisational performance.

This paper examines a framework between different knowledge management enablers (KMEs), knowledge management (KM) processes and organisational performance. Forty-six KMEs are selected from literature and experts' opinion from industry and academia. Further, these 46 KMEs are grouped into six major constructs. These KMEs supports the socialisation, externalisation, combination, internalisation (SECI) KM processes and organisational performance (operational performance, financial performance and customer satisfaction). The postal survey methodology is used to collect the data from Indian manufacturing organisations. The collected survey data was analysed for the construct, content, criterion-related validation and reliability analysis. Additionally, structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to test the relationship between KMEs, SECI KM process and organisational performance. The finding suggests positive relationship exists between KMEs, SECI KM process and organisational performance. The successful KMEs implementation improves the SECI KM processes which enhance the organisational performance.

Purpose– This paper aims to find and rank the barriers of the four knowledge management (KM) processes including generation, storage, distribution and application in the gas and petroleum sector.Design/methodology/approach– Reviewing the literature of KM and organizational learning, this paper extracted all of the barriers which impede KM processes. Then it designed a questionnaire for validating, ranking and categorizing barriers. Totally, 190 completed questionnaires were gathered from 26 gas and petroleum companies in Iran. Some statistical tests such asT, Friedman, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney were used for analyzing data.Findings– Findings reviewed the current literature of KM barriers, validated and ranked the barriers of knowledge generation, storage, distribution and application separately. The importance of knowledge generation and knowledge application barriers were significantly different between gas and petroleum companies. Hence they were disjointedly ranked for gas and petroleum. Finally, KM barriers were ranked according to their contribution to KM processes and the average mean of their importance in KM processes.Practical implications– From the practical point of view, this paper suggests managers of gas and petroleum companies to emphasize solving high-priority barriers according to the KM process which they are focused on. Furthermore, the study provides a checklist that can be used as an assessment tool for evaluating KM processes considering barriers.Originality/value– This paper finds the importance of each barrier for each of the four KM processes and ranks the “critical barriers” according to their contribution to four KM processes in the gas and petroleum sector.

Due to the strong competition that exists among organisations and the rapid change in the business environment, knowledge has turned out to become a key source for organisations to enhance the competitive advantage. Integrating Knowledge Management (KM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process is a new research area, therefore, scientific research and literature around it remain limited. In addition, the impact of KM process on customer acquisition, retention, and expansion to improve customer satisfaction remains under study and report. The aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework of KM integrated with CRM called Customer Knowledge Relationship Management (CKRM) Process depending on analysis of various models presented in KM and CRM. The main highlighting is laid upon the concepts of the concept of customer knowledge (knowledge about customer, knowledge for customer, knowledge from customer). Therefore, this paper contributes to the development of KM process (Knowledge Process about Customer, Knowledge Process for Customer, and Knowledge Process from Customer). The paper investigated how the companies in Jordan developed KM process to improvement the CRM process. Based on data collected from the company, results from analysis indicated that the KM process had a positive effect on CRM process.

This paper presents a Knowledge Management Capability framework based upon an empirical case study conducted at a CMM Level 5 software project organisation. The paper discusses the development of the organisation’s knowledge management (KM) initiative from its initial state, to an organisational state where the KM practices are institutionalised and embedded within the daily activities and work methods of the organisation. The organisation’s KM initiative is analysed through the development of two KM capabilities, namely infrastructure and processes, which were examined in depth while conducting the case study, and form the basis for the KM Capability Framework. The resulting framework helps organisations to analyse any imbalance that may exist in their KM initiative and needs to be addressed. In doing so, the framework benefits organisations in making corrections and restoring balance between their KM infrastructure and process capabilities, thereby improving the path of successful KM implementation towards a state of organisational KM capability.

Aim/Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the knowledge management (KM) process and the performance of construction companies. The ultimate goal is to promote better efficiency and competitive advantage in the construction industry by making the best use of knowledge. Background: While attention to KM is currently on the rise, as shown by the number of studies conducted, research on KM in the construction industry of Indonesia is still very rare. However, organizational learning as the implementation of KM provides an opportunity to improve the construction industry, and thus there is an urgency to conduct research on this topic. Methodology: This study lasted for three months and used the survey method, with 100 questionnaires distributed to contractors of grade 6 and 7 on the islands of Java and Borneo in Indonesia. A total of 54 returned questionnaires were deemed complete and eligible for further analysis. Data analysis was performed using the structural equation modeling method with partial least squares (SEM PLS). Contribution: This study helps to measure the relationship value of the KM process and company performance. Findings: The results of this study indicate that the process of KM has a significant and positive influence on company performance, and there is a positive interaction in the process of KM and company performance as well. Recommendations for Practitioners: Construction companies need to perceive that activities undertaken in a construction project should always be assumed to be a KM process in order to make strategic and effective decisions that can result in improvements to customers, finance, internal business, learning, and growth. Recommendation for Researchers: Research on the KM process and information technology needs to be developed more, so that construction companies can apply this knowledge to explore problems and create solutions, resulting in methods to facilitate efficiency and effectiveness. Impact on Society: This paper helps to understand that KM activities provide initial benefits and guidance for companies that want to apply KM. Future Research: Innovative and new ideas to cultivate the KM process in the construction industry need to be explored and developed to improve the implementation.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate knowledge management (KM) processes and to investigate their impact on organisational performance (OP) within the context of the airline industry (AI).Design/methodology/approach– An inductive and deductive qualitative approach was used based on a preliminary study. A pilot study was conducted which involved the use of interviews as a primary data collection method. Content analysis was used to extract and analyse themes from the data.Findings– The study showed that knowledge usage is the most influential aspect of KM in terms of the impact on OP. Moreover, the study revealed that knowledge transfer is a common KM process employed by organisations.Research limitations/implications– This study outlined the findings of a pilot study which aimed to test a proposed conceptual model and to provide an initial understanding of the interrelationships between KM processes and OP. To this end, a number of interviews were conducted in order to consolidate a conceptual model. As such, the nature of this preliminary study imposed some time and context limitations. These limitations will be dealt within later stages of the research journey.Originality/value– The value of the study is generated from the extensive review of the literature it provided which enhanced proposing a conceptual model that was initially tested with the aim of defining an appropriate KM processes within a unique and yet untested context as well as describing the impact of these processes on OP. Determination of KM processes is expected to set a guideline for future research in the AI.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between knowledge management (KM) processes and supply chain performance, with information technology/information system (IT/IS) support, supply chain integration, and supply chain strategy as moderators.Design/methodology/approach– Drawing on the knowledge-based view, a theoretical framework is developed consisting of six KM processes: knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge organization, knowledge storage, knowledge dissemination, and knowledge application, and the performance of supply chain is evaluated in terms of four Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) process elements: Plan, Source, Make, and Delivery. Structural equation modeling is employed using a sample of 78 Iranian manufacturers in mechanical and engineering industry.Findings– Empirical results show that KM processes have a significant impact on supply chain performance which is positively moderated by IT/IS support and supply chain integration. While the moderating effect of IT/IS support is found to be considerably stronger, the relationship between KM processes and supply chain performance is not significantly different in lean and agile supply chains.Research limitations/implications– Since the sample for this study is small and drawn only from manufacturing companies in mechanical and engineering industry, it would be important to conduct further empirical studies with larger samples from a wider range of industries to improve and strengthen our analyses and provide more conclusive and generalizable results.Originality/value– Through empirical study, a better understanding of the impact of KM processes on supply chain performance and the moderating role of IT/IS support and supply chain integration can be gained.

The competitiveness of a firm depends on the quality of knowledge they apply to their business processes. Knowledge management (KM) processes are part of the firm business processes. These processes require turning personal knowledge into corporate knowledge that can be widely shared throughout a firm and appropriately applied. This study examines how SMEs and large firms apply KM processes in their daily business activities and analyse the influence of KM processes on their financial and non-financial performance. KM processes comprise knowledge acquisition, conversion and application while firm performance is measured from financial and non-financial perspectives that consist of profit, growth, innovativeness, customer satisfaction, quality and flexibility. Survey questionnaires were distributed to managers at SMEs and large firms. Results showed that the effects of KM processes on financial and non-financial performance differ between SMEs and large firms. Findings from the survey could help these firms to enhance their financial and non-financial performance via appropriate KM processes.