Knowledge sharing in selected municipalities of Limpopo Province

Abstract

Knowledge is regarded as an important resource for any organisation. Sharing of knowledge is crucial to the survival of an organisation, especially in municipalities which are required to deliver basic services to citizens. This study examined knowledge sharing practices in selected municipalities of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and a survey research design, using a structured questionnaire as data collection method. The population for the study comprised of staff members in the Information and Knowledge Management and Human Resource Management units in seven municipalities in Limpopo Province, selected through stratified and proportional sampling methods. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The results of the study showed that, although knowledge sharing is viewed as important by the respondents, it is not encouraged among employees, and appears to be the least supported task by most managers attached to selected municipalities. There is insufficient information technology infrastructure to support knowledge sharing, and there is no reward system to encourage employees to engage in knowledge sharing. Therefore, the municipalities need to implement the reward system and to acquire relevant information and communications technology infrastructure to motivate and stimulate the culture of knowledge sharing.