Evaluation of knowledge management processes in higher education institutions

Abstract

In the context of transformations, knowledge management appears to be an effective and efficient instrument for increasing sustainable organisational performance. Inappropriately formed knowledge strategies and selected knowledge management decisions might have destructive consequences for an organisation. Knowledge management can be analysed through a process-oriented approach that supports organisations in applying knowledge strategy for implementing a knowledge management cycle consisting of various knowledge management processes. Also, it can be viewed as a valuable instrument for evaluating a set of individual, organisational, and technological factors affecting the knowledge management cycle leading to improved organisational performance. Nevertheless, despite the potential benefits that can be realised by implementing the knowledge management cycle and the relatively significant number of studies pertaining to the knowledge management concept, there is a scarcity of research and a limited number of studies analysing how knowledge management processes can affect sustainable organisational performance in the higher education field, especially in such developing countries as Lebanon and Syria. The main purpose of this study was to develop and empirically approve a research model for evaluating knowledge management processes in higher education institutions operating in Lebanon and Syria that contribute to sustainable organisational performance. The research methods were scientific literature review, survey, expert evaluation, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The research model integrates individual (motivation, learning, and trust), organisational (motivation system, top management support, and organisational structure) and technological (ICT infrastructure and technologically-enabled social networks) factors influencing knowledge management processes (knowledge acquisition, storage, sharing, application, and creation), and assesses the influence of these processes on three indicators of sustainable organisational performance: innovation, quality and operational aspects. The findings revealed that the evaluation of individual, organisational and technological factors, specifically motivation, learning, trust, motivation system, top management support, organisational structure, ICT infrastructure, and technologically-enabled social networks, which are related to the knowledge management cycle involving five knowledge management processes (knowledge acquisition, storage, sharing, application, and creation), is significant to develop evaluation metrics for their consistent improvement, as well as the achievement of sustainable organisational performance in higher education institutions.