International Journal of Knowledge Management and Practices

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Penetration and Performance of Information Technology in Knowledge Management Practices: an Empirical Study of the Software Smes in North India


Affiliations
1 Chandigarh Business School, Landran, Mohali.
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the penetration and performance of IT tools in the implementation of Knowledge Management Practices in Software SMEs. Design/Methodology/Approach: Following Factor analysis, Descriptive analysis, and Regression analysis techniques, the study sourced its data from 80 Software SMEs of North India. The research instrument was created using the existing literature. Findings: IT is an indispensable part of Knowledge Management Practices and applicability of Information Technology tools improved the Knowledge Management process by increasing the speed, accuracy, cost effectiveness, effective control and operational efficiency, and made the implementation of Knowledge Management Practices easier. IT provided the operational support to the Knowledge Management Practices by increasing the content visibility, proper documentation, completeness, and systematic storage of the knowledge. IT tools also provided better security and more reliability to the Knowledge Management system. The strategic development was the third important area of IT Enabled KM Practices in software industries. These IT enabled KM Practices enhanced the strategic development of the organization by improving KM process, competence, employee participation, decision support, Cross-unit performance and effective integration of systems. Research Limitations/Implications: Study was restricted only to Software SMEs of North India.

Keywords

Knowledge, Knowledge Management (KM), Information Technology, IT Tools, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Agrawal, S. (2010). IT Based Knowledge Management Framework for Improving Research and Development Process in Technical Education. Journal of Engineering, Science and Management Education,July-September, 2, pp. 17-22.

  • Andersson, R., & Hermansson, F. (2009). Assimilation of Repatriate Knowledge: a Study of Knowledge Management in 39 Large Cap Companies. Master Thesis, Uppsala University.

  • Ahmad, A., & Khan, H. (2009). The Importance of Knowledge Management Practices in Overcoming the Global Software Engineering Challenges in Requirements Understanding. Master Thesis in Software Engineering. Sweden: School of Engineering, Blekinge Institute of Technology.

  • Bernard, J. G. (2006). A Typology of Knowledge Management System Use by Teams. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS’06) Track 7, pp. 155a.

  • Cavana, R.Y., Delahaye, B.L. & Sekaran, U. (2001). Applied Business Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. John Wiley: Australia.

  • Cheah, Y. N. (2007). Enhancing Groupware for Knowledge Management. Fifth International Conference on Information Technology in Asia (CITA 2007).

  • Crilly, T., Jashapara, A., & Ferlie, E. (2010). Research Utilisation & Knowledge Mobilisation: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Report for the National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organization Programme July 2010.

  • Goh, G., Gan, G., Ryan, C., & Gururajan, R. (2010). ‘Soft’ Enablers of Knowledge Management in Malaysian Companies, A Qualitative Study. Australasian Conference on Information System.

  • Gooderham, P. N. (2007). Enhancing Knowledge Transfer in Multinational Corporations: A Dynamic Capabilities Driven Model. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 5(1), pp. 34-43.

  • Hsu, I. C. (2008). Knowledge Sharing Practices as a Facilitating Factor for Improving Organizational Performance through Human Capital: A Preliminary Test. Expert Systems with Applications, 35(3), pp. 1316-1326.

  • Haas, M. R., & Hansen, M. T. (2007). Different Knowledge, Different Benefi ts: Toward a Productivity Perspective on Knowledge Sharing in Organizations. Strategic Management Journal, 28(11), pp. 1133-1153.

  • Hsia, T., Lin, L., Wu, J., & Tsai, H. (2006). A Framework for Designing Nursing Knowledge Management Systems. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 1(1), pp. 13-23.

  • Hsu, I. C. (2008). Knowledge Sharing Practices as a Facilitating Factor for Improving Organizational Performance through Human Capital: A Preliminary Test. Expert Systems with Applications, 35, pp. 1316–1326.

  • Jain, P. (2009). Knowledge Management System in Government. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, 10(4).

  • Daghfous, A. & Kah, M. M. O. (2006).

  • Janson, M., Brown, A., & Cecez-Kecmanovic, D. (2008). Strategies for Interweaving Groupware and Organizational Structure. Retrieved from http://csrc.lse.ac.uk

  • Knowledge Management Implementation in SMEs: A Framework and a Case Illustration. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 5(2), pp. 107-115.

  • Agbeja, O. & Fajemisin, D. O. (2008).

  • Knowledge Management: Strategy for Corporate Survival and Sustainable Global Development. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, 9(2).

  • Liao, S. H., & Wu, C. C. (2009). The Relationship among Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning, and Organizational Performance. International Journal of Business and Management, 4 (4), pp. 64-76.

  • Matlay, H., & Martin, L. M. (2009). Collaborative and Competitive Strategies in Virtual Teams of E-Entrepreneurs: a Pan-European Perspective. Australasian Journal of Information Systems. 16(1), pp. 99-115.

  • Mathew, V. (2010). Service Delivery through Knowledge Management in Higher Education. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, 11(3).

  • Ma, H., Peng, Y., & Shi, Y. (2008). The Effect of Information Technology and Knowledge Management Capability on R&D Process Performance. Journal of Knowledge-Based Innovation in China, 1(1), pp. 43-55.

  • Matsuo, M., & Easterby, S. M. (2008). Beyond the Knowledge Sharing Dilemma: The Role of Customization. Journal of Knowledge Management, 12 (4), pp. 30-43.

  • Mathew, V. (2009).Virtual Knowledge Sharing and Collaborative Learning in Organization. First Virtual Conference on Business Management 2009 (VCOBAM 2009). ISSN 1793-9992, 1(1).

  • Nie, K., Ma, T., & Nakamori, Y. (2007). Building a Taxonomy to Understanding Knowledge Management. The Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, 5(4), pp. 453-466.

  • Omona, W. (2010). Using ICT to Enhance Knowledge Management in Higher Education: A Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 6(4), pp. 83-101.

  • Patricia, G. (2009). How to Improve the Knowledge Sharing within a MNC: The Case of PROACT GROUP. Master Thesis in International Management, Department of Business Studies Uppsala University.

  • Ray, L. (2008). Requirement for Knowledge Management: Business Driving Information Technology. Journal of Knowledge Management, 12(3), pp. 156-158.

  • Ruikar, K., Anumba, A., & Egbu C. (2007). Integrated Use of Technologies and Techniques for Construction Knowledge Management. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 5(1), pp. 297-311.

  • Saenz, J., Aramburu, N., & Rivera, O. (2009). Knowledge Sharing and Innovation Performance: A Comparison between High-Tech and Low-Tech Companies. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 10(1), pp. 22-36.

  • Safa, M. S., Shakir, F. & Boon, O. K. (2006). Knowledge Management: Practice and Performance of NGO in Maldives. International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship, 2(1), pp. 69-86.

  • Schneckenberg, D. (2009).Web 2.0 and the Empowermentof the Knowledge Worker. Journal of Knowledge Management, 13(6), pp. 509-520.

  • Sezgin, M. (2009). Big Challenge: Understanding Knowledge Management. European and Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems 2009 July 13-14 2009.

  • Saito, A., Umemoto, K., & Ikeda, M. (2007). A Strategy-Based Ontology of Knowledge Management Technologies. Journal of Knowledge Management, 11(1), pp. 97-114.

  • Song, D. (2009). The Tacit Knowledge-Sharing Strategy Analysis in the Project Work. International Business Research, 2(1), pp. 83-85.

  • Tanriverdi, H. (2005). Information Technology Relatedness, Knowledge Management Capability, and Performance of Multi-business Firms. MIS Quarterly, 29(2), pp. 311-334.

  • Vaast, E. (2007). What Goes Online comes Offline: Knowledge Management System Use in a Soft Bureaucracy. Organization Studies, 28(3), pp. 283-306.

  • Vaccaro A., Parente, R., & Veloso, F. M. (2010). Knowledge Management Tools, Inter-Organizational Relationships, Innovation and Firm Performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 77(7), pp. 1076-1089.

  • Wang, J. (2009). Knowledge Sharing and Team Trustworthiness: It’s All about Social Ties. Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 4(3), pp. 175-186.


Abstract Views: 498

PDF Views: 4




  • Penetration and Performance of Information Technology in Knowledge Management Practices: an Empirical Study of the Software Smes in North India

Abstract Views: 498  |  PDF Views: 4

Authors

Ritika Saini
Chandigarh Business School, Landran, Mohali.

Abstract


Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the penetration and performance of IT tools in the implementation of Knowledge Management Practices in Software SMEs. Design/Methodology/Approach: Following Factor analysis, Descriptive analysis, and Regression analysis techniques, the study sourced its data from 80 Software SMEs of North India. The research instrument was created using the existing literature. Findings: IT is an indispensable part of Knowledge Management Practices and applicability of Information Technology tools improved the Knowledge Management process by increasing the speed, accuracy, cost effectiveness, effective control and operational efficiency, and made the implementation of Knowledge Management Practices easier. IT provided the operational support to the Knowledge Management Practices by increasing the content visibility, proper documentation, completeness, and systematic storage of the knowledge. IT tools also provided better security and more reliability to the Knowledge Management system. The strategic development was the third important area of IT Enabled KM Practices in software industries. These IT enabled KM Practices enhanced the strategic development of the organization by improving KM process, competence, employee participation, decision support, Cross-unit performance and effective integration of systems. Research Limitations/Implications: Study was restricted only to Software SMEs of North India.

Keywords


Knowledge, Knowledge Management (KM), Information Technology, IT Tools, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

References