Measurement and determining factors affecting the level of knowledge management

Abstract

This paper provides a new model for assessing the performance of firms in their Knowledge Management (KM) endeavours. This research investigates and identifies the main determinants of successful KM processes. Firms have been accumulating and applying knowledge to create competitive advantages. The emphasis on knowledge management in contemporary firms is based on the notion that problems to the transfer and replication of knowledge bestow KM with strategic prominence. As a result, firms are at various stages of planning and implementing knowledge-based strategies to improve their competitiveness in the marketplace. Moreover, there are human factors that facilitate or hinder the ability of firms and their staffto adopt and implement competitive, business technologies. Hence, the use of institutional theory to develop an integrative model in measuring the constructs of successful KM process capabilities is considered in this paper. The research model is tested with a survey study involving 682 firms in which data was collected over 6 months. The empirical results provided strong support for the model. In addition to its theoretical contributions, this study presents important practical suggestions through the identification of specific proficiencies leading to KM success.