Developing an Integrated Framework for Knowledge Management Practices in Organisations

Abstract

In this knowledge-based economy, the core competence that determines the success of every organisation is knowledge. This calls for organisations to develop and implement systems, strategies and framework to facilitate the effective management of knowledge as an organisational asset. This study sought to assess literature and frameworks of knowledge management (KM) and to develop a framework for KM implementation in organisations. This study reviewed literature on knowledge, KM processes, KM enablers, and KM frameworks to determine and propose a set of guidelines for implementing KM practices in organisations. Arising from the review, the researcher proposed an integrated KM framework that could be used by academics (researchers) and KM practitioners to implement and facilitate KM practices in organisations. The framework identifies the key elements of developing and facilitating KM practices: knowledge (tacit and explicit), KM processes (creation, retention, sharing and utilisation), and KM enablers (technology, leadership, culture and strategy). From organisations’ perspectives, for a successful implementation of KM practices, the focus should be on identifying and linking the knowledge types with the KM processes and the KM enablers. This forms the basis for the proposed framework to guide the successful implementation of KM practices in organisations. By utilising these guidelines to develop an integrated KM implementation framework, it is hoped that a stronger theoretical foundation can be constructed, thus facilitating the accomplishment of KM.