Knowledge Management Initiative

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address the knowledge management (KM) challenges faced by the administration of a small university which does not have a mature research culture. Design/methodology/approach: The paper follows both technocratic as well as ecological approaches to develop a sustainable KM. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis has been used to assess the problem environment. Findings: The paper investigates the main issues faced by a small university to enhance its research reputation and identifies key components of a KM system that can be established to achieve these objectives. Research limitations/implications: KM is of paramount importance for most organizations and a university is no exception. Although knowledge is constantly being accumulated but it cannot be taken for granted. In the absence of a KM system to facilitate the growth and transfer of knowledge, knowledge base can easily be eroded. This is truer for universities engaged in imparting applied knowledge in business, trades, and technology-related areas. Originality/value: Most of the reported applications of KM in the education sector are limited to localized applications of information technology (IT). The present paper provides a comprehensive approach for institute-wide KM by looking at the problem from both the ecological as well as the IT perspective, therefore, providing a more sustainable KM culture. There-in lies the value of this paper. (Contains 1 figure.)