Knowledge Management: From Strategy to Framework (A Case Study in Research Institute)

Abstract

Knowledge Management (KM) is a strategic initiative essential for any organizations to succeed. Recognition of knowledge as a strategic asset that can bring value to the organisation is the reason that KM has appeared to be necessities for organizational effectiveness and competitiveness. One of the Research Institutes in Malaysia, relies mostly on its individual’s specialised knowledge and this study aims to understand the current environment of the Research Institutes (RI) in managing its data, information and knowledge. At present, this RI is dependent on the knowledge that can be found in explicit and tacit form. However, employees’ tacit knowledge, which is employees’ experiences, skills and expertise accumulated for a number of years is found to be mostly needed and used. This type of knowledge needs to be protected to avoid loss when the employees retire and leave the company. KM provides the solutions to manage knowledge through the processes of knowledge creation, storing, dissemination and application. It enables tacit knowledge to be converted to explicit so that it can be reused by other organisational members and their stakeholders. Hence, this study presents the assessment of the current management of knowledge in the RI and proposes a KM framework for KM strategy that can guide the KM initiatives in the RI.