Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning from the Employee Perspectives: A Study from Saudi Arabia Context

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between Knowledge Management (KM) and Organizational Learning (OL) from the employee perspective. KM has emerged as one of the most important areas in management practices and established as a basic resource for firms and economies. KM is an area of research and practice that is still searching for a stable set of core concepts and practical applications. OL is considered to be one of the most important issues in modern managerial literature. Also, OL is one of the most important organizational factors that can direct the behavior and attitudes of the employees in the organizations. This study was conducted at Saudi banks in Al-Taif Governorate. It is practical, according to its purpose, and descriptive according to its data collection method. The present study investigates the evaluative attitudes of the employees towards KM and OL. It will also illustrate the relationship between KM and OL. Two groups of employees were examined. Of the 350 questionnaires that were distributed, 285 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 81%.The finding reveals that there are differences among the employees regarding their evaluative attitudes towards KM and OL. Also, this study reveals that there is a statistically significant relationship between KM and OL. Accordingly, the study provided a set of recommendations including the necessity to pay more attention to KM and OL. This will achieve its success currently and in the future, besides attaining a competitive advantage. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]