Knowledge management awareness in a research and development facility: Investigating employee perceptions

Abstract

Background: Research and development (R&D) facilities are dependent on knowledge to develop new and improve existing technologies. R&D employees’ perceptions of the use and management of knowledge are important as these individuals are the source of the innovation needed to generate and develop new processes and services.Objectives: This study aimed to understand Sasol R&D employees’ perceptions of knowledge management (KM). The study also assessed the attitude of Sasol R&D management towards KM.Method: The target population for this research included different levels of seniority and education in Sasol R&D. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 150 employees in R&D and 50 more who work closely with R&D in support functions.Results: It was found that the importance of KM is understood by Sasol R&D employees and management. It was established that Sasol R&D management regard KM as important, but that their commitment to KM initiatives is not necessarily evident for employees. A concern highlighted by the study was that employees were not aware of the duties of the identified KM champions within their facility.Conclusion: It was suggested that Sasol R&D employees should be made aware of the duties of KM champions. It was also established that Sasol R&D management needs to be more visible in their support of KM initiatives. Recommendations based on the findings of the study can assist Sasol R&D, and other facilities attempting to implement a KM strategy, to gain insight into the perceptions of employees and the role management needs to play in the facilitation of this process

Development and Validation of a Knowledge Management Questionnaire for Hospitals and Other Healthcare Organizations

“…Chang et al [22] claimed that better comprehension of KM improves employees' performance at hospitals. Another study revealed that a positive attitude for KM could give a competitive advantage and can increase innovation [23]. Another supposition is the existence or absence of a correlation between positive perceptions about KM and self-efficacy, as it appears in a sample of librarians in Israel [17].…”

Knowledge management awareness in South African provincial government departments: The case of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works, Pietermaritzburg

“…Empirical studies on KM initiatives in PSOs within the African context include Kimani (2013), Mphahlele (2010), Ncoyini and Cilliers (2016), Ondari-Okemwa (2007), Potgieter, Dube and Rensleigh (2013) and Ramohlale (2014), which showed that although there are no formal structures for managing knowledge in these organisations, a large amount of knowledge flows through them and KM is barely http://www.sajim.co.za Open Access understood in some organisations. However, some organisations regarded KM as important as it has been present for over a decade in the country like South Africa, and several national departments are at various stages of putting KM into practice.…”

Knowledge management awareness in South African provincial government departments: The case of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works, Pietermaritzburg

“…Empirical studies on KM initiatives in PSOs within the African context include Kimani (2013), Mphahlele (2010), Ncoyini and Cilliers (2016), Ondari-Okemwa (2007), Potgieter, Dube and Rensleigh (2013) and Ramohlale (2014), which showed that although there are no formal structures for managing knowledge in these organisations, a large amount of knowledge flows through them and KM is barely http://www.sajim.co.za Open Access understood in some organisations. However, some organisations regarded KM as important as it has been present for over a decade in the country like South Africa, and several national departments are at various stages of putting KM into practice.…”