An exploratory study into employee perceptions of knowledge management in two service units in the public sector

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge on, or insight into, employee perceptions about the factors that
contribute to the strategies for managing knowledge, employee perceptions about knowledge management
processes to convert tacit into explicit knowledge, employees’ views regarding the implementation of knowledge
management strategies and, perceptions about the ways in which knowledge management can contribute to
organisational effectiveness and efficiency. This exploratory study seeks to investigate new strategies for
knowledge management within the municipality concerned with the aim of promoting knowledge transfer. The
census approach was used and data was collected using questionnaires which were administered to 80
employees, of which 66 questionnaires were suitably completed. Statistical analysis utilised included descriptive
and inferential statistics because the total composition of employees did not respond and the study secured an
82.5% response rate. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were established using statistical
techniques. Results indicate that there exist significant relationships amongst the key variables of the study
relating to knowledge management respectively and, that each of the areas of knowledge management studied
need improvement. The findings have practical implications for local government, private organisations and
academics as it emphasises, inter alia, the need for knowledge leaders/champions to align knowledge management
to strategic plans, a well-developed technological infrastructure, compensation and reward systems, a competency
framework that includes knowledge building and sharing behaviours which is linked to the performance
management system.