Knowledge Management for Development: Rethinking the Trends of Knowledge Management Research in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 1750021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine C. Fombad ◽  
Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Developmental Issues ◽  
Organisational Effectiveness ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Tangible Assets ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Research Organisations

In the knowledge-based economy, there is a growing realisation among policy makers that knowledge assets, besides the tangible assets of financial capital and local infrastructure, are the prime creators of wealth. Given the developmental challenges facing South Africa and contemporary global societies, it is clear that Knowledge Management (KM) should not only be seen as a tool for organisational effectiveness, but also as a developmental strategy for nations and societies. As South Africa is developing policies and strategies to overcome its developmental challenges and also to remain competitive in the new global knowledge-based economy, the question that ought to be answered is: To what extend does research on KM address developmental issues in South Africa? This paper adopts a quantitative approach using bibliometric analysis to investigate the extent of research on KM on developmental targets in South Africa. A bibliometric study was conducted using four EBSCO-hosted databases to extract relevant data. It was noted that there has been continued growth in the number of KM publications in South Africa focusing on a variety of subject areas; limited researcher attention has been paid to KM for development (KM4D) and most of the research on KM4D addresses quality education and infrastructure, unemployment and economic growth. The study advocates for the need for academic institutions and research organisations to devote considerable attention to research that enhances the application and integration of the effectiveness of KM in South Africa's development as the country strives to achieve its development goals.

Competitiveness, Clustering and Knowledge Management of Greek Manufacturing Industry at Post-Crisis Era

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fotini Voulgaris ◽  
Christos Lemonakis ◽  
Konstantinos Vassakis
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Know How ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Innovation Capacity

The globalization and the increasing competition especially during the latest years of crisis provide a new environment for SMEs. In the “knowledge-based economy”, firms’ competitiveness is strongly related to technical know-how and skills. The important keys for the survival, growth and development of SMEs are related to technological and scientific improvements, cooperation, innovation capacity and knowledge management. This is the first study which attempts to present the above characteristics of Greek manufacturing SMEs at the post-crisis era.

Supply Chain Knowledge Integration in Emerging Economies

2012 ◽  
pp. 1002-1018
Author(s):  
Ryan Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Developed Economies ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Complex Knowledge ◽  
The Relationship

Firms in developed economies have been purchasing from firms in emerging economies for years, but they typically purchase low value, low margin items. Opportunities have arisen for emerging economy manufacturers to supply higher value products and services to firms in developed economies. In today’s global, knowledge based economy, suppliers must have cutting edge knowledge, and they must constantly upgrade their knowledge to maintain a competitive advantage. When supplying high-value products, complex knowledge based interactions between the buyer and supplier are necessary. A conceptual model is developed in this chapter, proposing that if suppliers in emerging economies are committed to long term relationships with developed economy customers, they can increase the level of knowledge integration in the relationship, and in turn, improve performance. The primary contribution of this chapter is to show that firms in emerging economies can achieve sales growth by becoming critical links in today’s global, knowledge based supply chains.

Knowledge Management Strategy as a Chance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

2017 ◽  
pp. 577-607
Author(s):  
Andrea Bencsik ◽  
Tímea Juhász
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Financial Capital ◽  
Knowledge Management Strategy ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Strategy ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Practical Research ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
A Current

This chapter shows how SMEs can compete with multinational companies. This chapter was written on the basis of practical research results. In this research, Hungarian and Slovakian SMEs were investigated from the view of a knowledge-based economy. The question was how they can face future challenges. The researchers wanted to know how SMEs handle their chance which is hidden in their way of thinking about a knowledge strategy. As a result, these companies seem to be afraid, uncertain, and think their success is only luck or a current incident. They live a “fly by night” existence, and they do not feel the importance of development, of studying, of knowledge; they run after work and money. These enterprises feel that they have to survive, and to this, they need money and financial capital. Therefore, knowledge and studying fall behind.

Capturing and Reusing Building Maintenance Knowledge

2011 ◽  
pp. 67-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick S.W. Fong ◽  
Ka-chi Wong
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Knowledge Management System ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Building Maintenance ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Unique Nature ◽  
Learning From Others

Knowledge is regarded as the most important asset for sustainable success in today’s knowledge-based economy, and it has become the main competitive tool for many businesses. Proper capture and reuse of knowledge reduces the risk of “reinventing the wheel.” Building surveyors play a major role in building maintenance. Owing to the unique nature of building maintenance, building surveyors need sufficient knowledge and experience to facilitate their decision-making process. Apart from gaining this knowledge and experience by direct participation, learning from others is a sound alternative. However, insufficiencies have been found in the current practice on this aspect, and thus the aim of this chapter is to study whether a proposed Web-based prototype knowledge management system would be a feasible solution for capturing and reusing knowledge and experience in building maintenance. A questionnaire survey was conducted in this research to study the opinions of professional building surveyors on the capture and reuse of knowledge and experience in building maintenance, as well as the requirements of a proposed Web-based prototype system.

The Phenomenon of Duality

2011 ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
The State ◽  
Knowledge Assets ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Knowledge Management Initiatives

In today’s knowledge-based economy, sustainable strategic advantages are gained more from an organization’s knowledge assets than from its more traditional types of assets, namely, land, labor, and capital. Knowledge, however, is a compound construct, exhibiting many manifestations of the phenomenon of duality such as subjectivity and objectivity as well as having tacit and explicit forms. Overlooking this phenomenon of duality in the knowledge construct has not only led many knowledge management initiatives to stumble but has also resulted in the discussion of the apparent contradictions associated with knowledge management in the IS literature as well as numerous discussions and debates regarding the “nonsense of knowledge management.” It is the thesis of this chapter that a full appreciation of the phenomenon of duality is indeed necessary to enable inquiring organizations to reach the state of wisdom and enlightenment.

The Phenomenon of Duality

2011 ◽  
pp. 3159-3174
Author(s):  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
The State ◽  
Knowledge Assets ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Knowledge Management Initiatives

In today’s knowledge-based economy, sustainable strategic advantages are gained more from an organization’s knowledge assets than from its more traditional types of assets, namely, land, labor, and capital. Knowledge, however, is a compound construct, exhibiting many manifestations of the phenomenon of duality such as subjectivity and objectivity as well as having tacit and explicit forms. Overlooking this phenomenon of duality in the knowledge construct has not only led many knowledge management initiatives to stumble but has also resulted in the discussion of the apparent contradictions associated with knowledge management in the IS literature as well as numerous discussions and debates regarding the “nonsense of knowledge management.” It is the thesis of this chapter that a full appreciation of the phenomenon of duality is indeed necessary to enable inquiring organizations to reach the state of wisdom and enlightenment.

scholarly journals Knowledge management a competitive edge for law firms in Botswana in the changing business environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Fombad
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Law Firms ◽  
Private Sector Development ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Cost

Background: Law firms in Botswana offer a particularly interesting context to explore the effects of transition in the knowledge economy. Acquiring and leveraging knowledge effectively in law firms through knowledge management can result in competitive advantage; yet the adoption of this approach remains in its infancy. Objectives: This article investigates the factors that will motivate the adoption of knowledge management in law firms in Botswana, and creates an awareness of the potential benefits of knowledge management in these firms.Method: The article uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods and the survey research design. A survey was performed on all 115 registered law firms and 217 lawyers in Botswana. Interviews were conducted with selected lawyers for more insight. Results: Several changes in the legal environment have motivated law firms to adopt knowledge management. Furthermore, lawyers appreciate the potential benefits of knowledge management. Conclusion: With the rise of the knowledge-based economy, coupled with the pressures faced by the legal industry in recent years, law firms in Botswana can no longer afford to rely on the traditional methods of managing knowledge. Knowledge management will, therefore, enhance the cost effectiveness of these firms. Strategic knowledge management certainly helps to prepare law firms in Botswana to be alive to the fact that the systematic harnessing of legal knowledge is no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity in the knowledge economy. It will also provide an enabling business environment for private sector development and growth and, therefore, facilitate Botswana’s drive towards the knowledge-based economy.

scholarly journals Knowledge Management Practice in Private Sector: Building the Way for Saudi Arabia Strategic Growth and Transformation To Knowledge-Based Economy

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.34) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman Gharamah ◽  
Mohamad Fauzan Noordin ◽  
Najma Imtiaz Ali ◽  
Imtiaz Ali Brohi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Growth Strategy ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Major Player

The Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and its growth objective is to be a major player in the global economy and moving toward a knowledge-based economy. To achieve its objectives, the private sector in various fields in KSA needs to be in line with country’s ambitious goal; Knowledge Management (KM) handling and readiness for the foreseen customer demand need to be in line with goals. This study presents a critical review to evaluate existing KM practice in the private sector in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to see the readiness of this sector to play an integral role of knowledge-based economy and support nation’s growth strategy.  The paper will examine current states in term of how knowledge management is practiced in the country.  This paper addressed various aspects of knowledge management ranges from the need of implementing knowledge management systems to the added value by deploying such systems. In addition, the review was discuss if the private sector is heading in the right direction, and coherent with KSA strategic goal by examining a sample of four major firms in private sector. The outcome of the sample reflected that the private sector is harmonized with KSA objective. 

Supply Chain Knowledge Integration in Emerging Economies

2010 ◽  
pp. 104-121
Author(s):  
Ryan Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Developed Economies ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Complex Knowledge ◽  
The Relationship

Firms in developed economies have been purchasing from firms in emerging economies for years, but they typically purchase low value, low margin items. Opportunities have arisen for emerging economy manufacturers to supply higher value products and services to firms in developed economies. In today’s global, knowledge based economy, suppliers must have cutting edge knowledge, and they must constantly upgrade their knowledge to maintain a competitive advantage. When supplying high-value products, complex knowledge based interactions between the buyer and supplier are necessary. A conceptual model is developed in this chapter, proposing that if suppliers in emerging economies are committed to long term relationships with developed economy customers, they can increase the level of knowledge integration in the relationship, and in turn, improve performance. The primary contribution of this chapter is to show that firms in emerging economies can achieve sales growth by becoming critical links in today’s global, knowledge based supply chains.

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