Knowledge Management in a Higher Education Institutions

Author(s):  
Choirul Saleh ◽  
Siswidiyanto Siswidiyanto ◽  
Hermawan Hermawan ◽  
Ali Maskur

Objective - This study examines the concept of knowledge management in higher education institutions, followed by a systematization of knowledge practices and tools to link several stakeholders in the process of knowledge management in higher education institutions and promote knowledge sharing across several key processes and services in higher education institutions. Methodology/Technique - This study uses a mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative methods. The respondents include stakeholders in public administrative departments between the ages of 30 and 66. The number of respondents represents 20 to 30% of the total population. This study concludes that in general, the Department of Public Administration Universitas Brawijaya has successfully implemented the concept of knowledge management. However, a lack of knowledge and stakeholder acceptance has lead to less effective implementation. Findings - This research suggests that there is a need for new strategies to improve stakeholders' knowledge and acceptance of Department and University strategies. Novelty - The study proposes a framework to improve knowledge sharing and collaboration in higher education institutions, fostering an environment of continuous learning and discovery. The study also makes conclusion and suggestions for future work. Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: Higher Education; Knowledge Management; Knowledge Sharing; Knowledge Collaboration; Public Administration. JEL Classification: I23, O34.

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loganathan N. Govender ◽  
Rubeshan Perumal ◽  
Sadhasivan Perumal

Background: Higher education institutions (HEIs) the world over are beginning to recognise the importance of knowledge management; however, such institutions are still in their formative stages of addressing, evaluating and implementing the benefits of knowledge management with particular reference to human resource management (HRM). Knowledge management is a viable means through which HEIs could gainfully capitalise on their intellectual and social capital. Objectives: This study explores knowledge management as a strategic tool for HRM in HEIs. Specifically, the dimensions such as organisational culture, organisational performance, technology, management support and the institutions’ mission and vision will be evaluated to understand knowledge management within HEIs. Method: Using a cross-sectional survey design, a self-administered questionnaire was sent to 91 individuals representing senior, middle and junior human resource managers at selected HEIs in South Africa, Mauritius and India. The study investigated the impact of policies, systems and processes that the HEIs implemented in support of knowledge management and knowledge sharing. Results: A total of 91 human resource practitioners responded to the survey, the majority of whom were male (56%). Respondents from the different countries have similar perceptions regarding the issues that encourage knowledge generation and knowledge sharing (p = 0.209), and how characteristics of their institutions compare with those applicable to learning organisations (p = 0.422). Respondents disagreed to differing extents across countries that organisational or departmental structures, political interference, communication channels between employees and command and control procedures retarded knowledge generation and sharing (p = 0.001). Respondents from the different countries have differing perceptions regarding the speed at which knowledge is transferred (p = 0.000), the reliability of the knowledge that is transferred as well as the extent to which decisions can be made in using the available knowledge (p = 0.000), the ease with which knowledge is transferred in their context (p = 0.016), the transfer of tacit knowledge in their organisations (p = 0.000), whether individual employees use personal knowledge as a source of power (p = 0.025) and the role of the information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure in knowledge creation and sharing (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The results provide convincing arguments to support the integration of HRM and knowledge management initiatives in HEIs. Whilst the HRM function at HEIs has demonstrated that it has the capability and resources to implement knowledge management initiatives, the results reflect that much ground needs to be covered to realise the full benefits of this endeavour. The study confirms that an effective knowledge management strategy for HRM that is aligned to the organisation’s strategic objectives is imperative for HEIs in South Africa.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 366-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poonam Veer Ramjeawon ◽  
Jennifer Rowley

Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to research on knowledge management in higher education institutions (HEIs), by studying the enablers and barriers to knowledge management in a country with a developing higher education sector, Mauritius. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior staff in the main public and private HEIs in Mauritius. Questions focused on knowledge management, including relevant barriers and enabling factors to knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer. Findings Although participants were able to discuss knowledge management, none of the universities had a knowledge management strategy. Moreover, more barriers than enablers to knowledge management were identified. Barriers included: a lack of policies and reward mechanisms, resources, data, funding and time for research, coupled with frequent leadership changes, a lack of a knowledge-sharing culture and research repositories and weak industry–academia linkages. Enablers were perceived to be: qualified and experienced academic staff in public HEIs, information technology (IT) infrastructure and library/digital library and some incentives for knowledge creation and transfer. Originality/value Previous research on knowledge management in universities has focused on countries with a relatively well-developed higher education sector. This research contributes by focusing on the perceived barriers and enablers to knowledge management in a country with a small and developing higher education sector.


Author(s):  
Roberto Biloslavo ◽  
Katjusa Gorela

The effectiveness of Knowledge Management (KM) activities is in large part dependent upon employees’ attitudes toward knowledge in general and to KM processes in particular. This chapter reports the results of a small-scale (N = 10) interview study of the “ways of knowing and knowledge sharing” of academics in three Slovene universities. The chapter presents an analysis of the responses from in depth, semi-structured interviews concerning the understanding of knowledge, KM processes, required social ecology, and attitude of academics. Responses were classified and tabulated in relation to theories of epistemology and KM and the findings analysed in relation to how they might be used for development of a conceptual KM framework within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The conclusion can be drawn that the KM framework within HEIs needs to take into account the bureaucratic and at the same time competitive and individualistic culture of academia.


Author(s):  
Fathimath Mumthaz

Objective - Mobile learning had widely impacted higher education, providing technology enabled educational opportunities to the mobile-first learners of the millennium, anytime, anywhere. The adoption of mobile technology rapidly increased among higher education institutions of Maldives, changing the psychological perception of distance learners who were located in different atolls of the country. Methodology/Technique - This paper was developed to explore psychological readiness of institutional distance learning students to adopt mobile learning in Maldives. Using quantitative approach, the research was conducted among the distance learners from three key higher education institutions of Maldives. Contributing to the e- questionnaire, three hundred and forty-three (n=340) students expressed their psychological readiness to adopt mobile learning in Maldives. Data collected using mobile technology was analysed using the analysis summary retrieved from Google forms and SPSS. Finding - The analysis revealed that majority of the students of Maldives higher education institutions were acquainted and psychologically ready to adopt mobile learning as a convenient mode of delivery. Novelty - Thereby, it can be said that students were willing to welcome mobile learning enhanced by mobile technology and were psychologically ready to adopt the emerging shift in the paradigm. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Mobile learning, psychological readiness, paradigm shift, higher education institutions, Maldives JEL Classification: I21, I23


Author(s):  
Diana Elizabeth Moreno Carrillo ◽  
Gustavo Adolfo León Duarte ◽  
Carlos René Contreras Cázarez

ABSTRACTSociety has been transforming throughout the last years. The easy access to Internet has made two important institutions, family and school, cope to new challenges. Teenagers in different countries have access to Internet. However, understanding how these changes affect them, their families, their education, their community and the risks they cope help us get to empiric research. The main inquiry is to identify the use and the role parents have around the Internet and technological devices. The research is based in a mixed approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, using a questionnaire and a focus group to collect data.RESUMENLa sociedad ha venido transformándose durante las últimas décadas. El fácil acceso al Internet ha hecho que dos importantes instituciones, la familia y la escuela, se enfrenten a nuevos retos. En distintos países alrededor del mundo, los adolescentes tienen acceso al Internet. Sin embargo, para entender como estos cambios los afecta a ellos, a sus familias, a su educación, a su comunidad y los riesgos que enfrentan, es posible llevar a cabo la investigación empírica. La pregunta central es conocer el uso y el rol que tienen los padres en torno al Internet y a los dispositivos tecnológicos. Como parte de la metodología, la construcción del objeto de estudio se basa en la implementación de un enfoque mixto. La combinación de enfoques cualitativos y cuantitativos conlleva al diseño de dos fases en las que se utilizarán dos herramientas, la encuesta y el grupo focal. Contacto principal: [email protected]


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