바로가기메뉴

본문 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

logo

  • E-ISSN2233-5382
  • KCI

Knowledge Management in an Iranian Health organization: Investigation of Critical Success Factors

The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business / The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business, (E)2233-5382
2014, v.5 no.4, pp.31-42
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.13106/ijidb.2014.vol5.no4.31.
Hojabri, Roozbeh
Eftekhar, Farrokh
Sharifi, Moslem
Hatamian, Alireza

Abstract

Purpose - According to the applied studies knowledge, management implementation can improve organizational performance. The main objective of this study is to develop an understanding of critical success factors that enhance the successful implementation of knowledge management. Research design, data, and methodology - This study used Analytical Hierarchy Procedure (AHP), which is a multi-criteria decision making model that works on fuzzy logic. Using this method, researchers can find the proportion of success due to the contribution of the critical success factors (CSFs). Results - The results show that more than 70% of respondents indicate the possibility of success in knowledge management implementation. Further, the results show that top management support has the greatest relationship with the success of knowledge management implementation. This was followed by information technology, performance measurement, and culture, which had a high relation with knowledge management success. Process and activities have a moderate positive relation, while education and training has a low relation with success. Because of an inappropriate p-value, knowledge management strategies show no relation to the success of knowledge management in the Iranian health Industry. Conclusions - This study was conducted because of a critical issue in the Iranian health industry that indicated that a significant portion of the workforce would retire in 5 to 10 years. Most highly experienced and knowledge oriented employees would become eligible for retirement. Therefore, knowledge management is presented as a complete solution in the Iranian health sector.

keywords
Knowledge Management, Critical Success Factors, Health Sector, Iran

Reference

1.

Abdullah, D. H., & Sinha, R. R. (2009). Knowledge management and intellectual capital emerging perspectives (ed.).Critical factors for KM implementation: An L&T, E&C division case study (pp. 53-71), In Institute of management technology, Ghaziabad.

2.

Ahmad, Q., Allen, R., Andersen, T., Anglin, J., Bühler, G., and Barton, J., et al. (2001). Measurement of the Rate of ν_{e}+ d→ p+ p+ e^{-} Interactions Produced by^{8} B Solar Neutrinos at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. Physical Review Letters, 87(7), 71301.

3.

Akhavan, P., Jafari, M., & Fathian, M. (2006). Critical success factors of knowledge management systems: a multi-case analysis. European Business Review, 18(2), 97-113.

4.

Alavi, M., & Leidner, D. E. (2001). Review: Knowledge management and knowledge management systems: Conceptual foundations and research issues. MIS quarterly, 25(1), 107-136.

5.

Alavi, M., & Leidner, D. E. (1999). Knowledge management systems:issues, challenges, and benefits. Communications of the AIS, 1(2), 1-27.

6.

Allee, V. (1997). The Knowledge Evolution: Expanding Organizational Intelligence (Business Briefcase). Newton:Elsevier.

7.

Ali, M. H., Soma, Y., Murata, T., & Tamura, J. (2002). A fuzzy logic controlled braking resistor scheme for transient stability enhancement. Transactions-Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan B, 122(1), 113-120.

8.

Arora, R. (2002). Implementing KM–a balanced score card approach. Journal of Knowledge Management, 6(3), 240-249.

9.

Ashkanasy, N. M., Broadfood, L., & Falkus, S. (2011). Questionnaire measures or organizational culture. In N. M. Ashkanasy, C. P. M.Wilderom, & M. F. Peterson (Eds.), Handbook of organizational culture and climate (pp. 131–146), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

10.

Bellinger, G., Castro, D., & Mills, A. (2004). Data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. Retrieved September 10th, 2008, from http://www. systems-thinking. org/dikw/dikw. htm.

11.

Bertels, T., & Savage, C. M. (1999). A research agenda for the knowledge era: The tough questions. Knowledge and Process Management, 6(4), 205-212.

12.

Black, D., & Synan, C. (1997). The learning organisation: the sixth discipline? Management Accounting-London-, 75, 70-75.

13.

Bontis, N. (2001). Assessing knowledge assets: a review of the models used to measure intellectual capital. International Journal of Management Reviews, 3(1), 41-60.

14.

Borousan, E. (2011). Knowledge Management in Iran Petrochemical Industry, Masters thesis, Multimedia University.

15.

Borousan, E., Hajiabolhasani, A., and Hojabri, R.(2012)Evaluating factors cause problems in implementation on knowledge management in Iran’s oil and Gas industry. African journal of Business Management, 6(34), 9589-9596.

16.

Cameron, K. S., & Quinn, R. E. (2011). Diagnosing and changing organizational culture: Based on the competing values framework (3rd edn.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

17.

Chang, T. H., & Wang, T. C. (2009). Using the fuzzy multi-criteria decision making approach for measuring the possibility of successful knowledge management. Information Sciences, 179(4), 355-370.

18.

Chen, G., Pham, T. T., & Boustany, N. M.(2001). Introduction to fuzzy sets, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy control systems( Book Review). Applied Mechanics Reviews, 54, 02.

19.

Chin, K. S., Xu, D., Yang, J. B., & Ping-Kit Lam, J. (2008). Group-based ER-AHP system for product project screening. Expert Systems with Applications, 35(4), 1909-1929.

20.

Chong, S. C. (2006). KM critical success factors: a comparison of perceived importance versus implementation in Malaysian ICT companies. The Learning Organization, 13(3), 230-256.

21.

Chourides, P., Longbottom, D., & Murphy, W. (2003). Excellence in knowledge management: an empirical study to identify critical factors and performance measures. Measuring Business Excellence, 7(2), 29-45.

22.

Collaboration, A., Collaboration, D., & Collaboration, O. (2003). Search for the standard model Higgs boson at LEP. Physics Letters B, 565, 61-75.

23.

Collaboration, D. (1991). The DELPHI detector at LEP. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 303(2), 233-276.

24.

Conley, C. A., & Zheng, W. (2009). Factors critical to knowledge management success. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 11(3), 334-348.

25.

Coulson-Thomas, C. (2004). The knowledge entrepreneurship challenge: Moving on from knowledge sharing to knowledge creation and exploitation. The Learning Organization, 11(1), 84-93.

26.

Davenport, T. H. (1998). Putting the enterprise into the enterprise system. Harvard business review, 76(4), 121-131.

27.

Davenport, T. H., De Long, D. W., & Beers, M. C. (1998). Successful knowledge management projects. Sloan management review, 39(2), 43-57.

28.

Dewett, T., & Jones, G. R. (2001). The role of information technology in the organization: a review, model, and assessment. Journal of Management, 27(3), 313-346.

29.

Dhanaraj, C., Lyles, M. A., Steensma, H. K., & Tihanyi, L. (2004). Managing tacit and explicit knowledge transfer in IJVs: the role of relational embeddedness and the impact on performance. Journal of International Business Studies, 428-442.

30.

Drucker, P. F. (1993). Managing in turbulent times. New York:Harper Paperbacks.

31.

Eisenhardt, K. M., & Schoonhoven, C. B. (1996). Resource-based view of strategic alliance formation:Strategic and social effects in entrepreneurial firms. Organization science, 7(2), 136-150.

32.

Fernie, S., Green, S. D., Weller, S. J., & Newcombe, R. (2003). Knowledge sharing: context, confusion and controversy. International Journal of Project Management, 21(3), 177-187.

33.

Firestone, J. M. (2001). Key issues in knowledge management. Knowledge and innovation, 1(3), 8-17.

34.

Fontaine, M. A., & Millen, D. R. (2004). Understanding the benefits and impact of communities of practice. in Paul M. Hildreth and Chris Kimble (eds), Networks: Innovation Through Communities of Practice (pp.1-13), Hershey, PA: Idea Group Inc.

35.

Frické, M. (2009). The knowledge pyramid: a critique of the DIKW hierarchy. Journal of Information Science, 35(2), 131-142.

36.

Ghassemzadeh,H., Hojabri, R., Eftekhar, F., & Sharifi, M. (2013).Tacit Knowledge Sharing in Health Industry:Influences of personal, organizational and social factors. East Asian journal of business management, 3(1), 29-35.

37.

Gold, A. H., Malhotra, A., & Segars, A. H. (2001). Knowledge management: An organizational capabilities perspective. Journal of management information systems, 18(1), 185-214.

38.

Grover, V., & Davenport, T. H. (2001). General perspectives on knowledge management: Fostering a research agenda. Journal of management information systems, 18(1), 5-21.

39.

Hasanali, F. (2002). Critical success factors of knowledge management. Knowledge Management Advantage. available May 9,2012, from http://www.kmadvantage.com/docs/km_articles/Critical_Success_Factors_of_KM.pdf

40.

Hofstede, G., & Hofstede, G. J. (2005). Cultures in Organizations. Cultures Consequences, 373-421.

41.

Hojabri, R., Borousan, E., and Manafi, M. (2012). Impact of using telemedicine on knowledge management in healthcare organizations : A case study. African journal of Business Management, 6(4), 1604-1613.

42.

Holsapple, C., & Joshi, K. (2000). An investigation of factors that influence the management of knowledge in organizations. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 9(2-3), 235-261.

43.

Holsapple, C., & Joshi, K. (2004). A formal knowledge management ontology: Conduct, activities, resources, and influences. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 55(7), 593-612.

44.

Holsapple, C. W., & Joshi, K. (2003). A knowledge management ontology. Handbook on knowledge management, 1, 89-128.

45.

Holsapple, C. W., & Joshi, K. D. (2002). A collaborative approach to ontology design. Communications of the ACM, 45(2), 42-47.

46.

Homburg, C., & Pflesser, C. (2000). A multiple-layer model of market-oriented organizational culture: measurement issues and performance outcomes. Journal of marketing research, 37(4), 449-462.

47.

Hong, K. K., & Kim, Y. G. (2002). The critical success factors for ERP implementation: an organizational fit perspective. Information & Management, 40(1), 25-40.

48.

Horak, B. J. (2001). Dealing with human factors and managing change in knowledge management: a phased approach. Topics in health information management, 21(3), 8-17.

49.

Hourihan, F., Bishop, G., Hillman, K., & Daffurn, K. (1995). The medical emergency team: a new strategy to identify and intervene in high-risk patients. Clinical Intensive Care, 6(6), 269-269.

50.

Iranian development law (2006). 4th Iranian development law. available December 9, 2010, from http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/iran.htm

51.

Iranian development law (2010). 5th Iranian development law. available May 9, 2012, from http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/iran.htm

52.

Jasimuddin, S. M., Klein, J. H., & Connell, C. (2005). The paradox of using tacit and explicit knowledge: strategies to face dilemmas. Management decision, 43(1), 102-112.

53.

Ju, T. L., Lin, B., Lin, C., & Kuo, H. (2006). TQM critical factors and KM value chain activities. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 17(3), 373-393.

54.

Karabag, S. F., Tuncay-Celikel, A., & Berggren, C. The limits of R&D internationalization and the importance of local initiatives:Turkey as a critical case. World Development, 39(8), 1347-1357.

55.

Kim, Chang-Gon, & Youn, Myoung-Kil (2013). An empirical study on yard inventory change according to containers’ dwell times, Journal of Distribution Science, 11(5), 33-41.

56.

Kock, N. F., McQueen, R. J., & Corner, J. L. (1997). The nature of data, information and knowledge exchanges in business processes: Implications for process improvement and organizational learning. The Learning Organization, 4(2), 70-80.

57.

Kulak, O., & Kahraman, C. (2005). Fuzzy multi-attribute selection among transportation companies using axiomatic design and analytic hierarchy process. Information Sciences, 170(2), 191-210.

58.

Kulkarni, U. R., Ravindran, S., & Freeze, R. (2007). A knowledge management success model: Theoretical development and empirical validation. Journal of Management Information Systems, 23(3), 309-347.

59.

Kumar, V., Maheshwari, B., & Kumar, U. (2002). Enterprise resource planning systems adoption process: a survey of Canadian organizations. International Journal of Production Research, 40(3), 509-523.

60.

Kwan, K. M. (2002). Conditional alleles in mice: practical considerations for tissue‐specific knockouts. Genesis, 32(2), 49-62.

61.

Lai, H., & Chu, T. (2000). Knowledge management: a review of theoretical frameworks and industrial cases. In Proceedings of the 33th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, (pp.1-10) Washington, DC: IEEE Computer Society.

62.

Levina, N., & Ross, J. W. (2003). From the vendor's perspective:exploring the value proposition in information technology outsourcing. MIS quarterly, 27(3), 331-364.

63.

Levinson, M. (2003). The RFID imperative. CIO Magazine, 17(5), 77-88.

64.

Liebowitz, D., Criminisi, A., & Zisserman, A. (1999). Creating architectural models from images. Computer Graphics Forum, 18(3), 39–50.

65.

Liebowitz, J. (2001). Knowledge management and its link to artificial intelligence. Expert Systems with Applications, 20(1), 1-6.

66.

Liebowitz, J., & Suen, C. Y. (2000). Developing knowledge management metrics for measuring intellectual capital. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 1(1), 54-67.

67.

Liebowitz, J., & Wright, K. (1999). Does measuring knowledge make "cents"? Expert Systems with Applications, 17(2), 99-103.

68.

Liebowitz, J., & Megbolugbe, I. (2003). A set of frameworks to aid the project manager in conceptualizing and implementing knowledge management initiatives. International Journal of Project Management, 21(3), 189-198.

69.

Lin, H. F. (2007). Knowledge sharing and firm innovation capability:an empirical study. International Journal of Manpower, 28(3/4), 315-332.

70.

Lombardi, P., Lami, I. M., Bottero, M., & Grasso, C. (2007). Application of the Analytic Network Process and the Multi-modal framework to an urban upgrading case study. Proceeding of International Conference on Whole Life Urban Sustainability and its Assessment (pp.27-29), Glasgow, UK: Glasgow Caledonian University.

71.

Long, D. W. D., & Fahey, L. (2000). Diagnosing cultural barriers to knowledge management. Academy of Management Executive, 14(4), 113-127.

72.

Mårtensson, M. (2000). A critical review of knowledge management as a management tool. Journal of Knowledge Management, 4(3), 204-216.

73.

Michailova, S., & Nielsen, B. B. (2006). MNCs and knowledge management: a typology and key features. Journal of Knowledge Management, 10(1), 44-54.

74.

Motwani, J. (2001). Critical factors and performance measures of TQM. The TQM magazine, 13(4), 292-300.

75.

Nah, F. F. H., Zuckweiler, K. M., & Lau, J. L. S. (2003). ERP implementation: chief information officers' perceptions of critical success factors. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 16(1), 5-22.

76.

Nelson, K. M., & Cooprider, J. G. (1996). The contribution of shared knowledge to IS group performance. MIS quarterly, 20, 409-432.

77.

Newman, D. R., Webb, B., & Cochrane, C. (1995). A content analysis method to measure critical thinking in face-to-face and computer supported group learning. Interpersonal Computing and Technology, 3(2), 56-77.

78.

Ngai, E., & Chan, E. (2005). Evaluation of knowledge management tools using AHP. Expert Systems with Applications, 29(4), 889-899.

79.

Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2007). The knowledge-creating company. Harvard business review, 85(7/8), 162-172.

80.

Nonaka, I., Toyama, R., & Konno, N. (2000). SECI, Ba and leadership: a unified model of dynamic knowledge creation. Long range planning, 33(1), 5-34.

81.

Nordhaug, O. (1998). Competence specificities in organizations:a classificatory framework. International Studies of Management & Organization, 28(1), 8-29.

82.

NSKI, W. K. (2006). On fuzzy number calculus. Int. J. Appl. Math. Comput. Sci, 16(1), 51-57.

83.

Pant, S., & Hsu, C. (1999). An integrated framework for strategic information systems planning and development. Information resources management journal, 12(1), 15-25.

84.

Rockart, J. F. (1979). Chief executives define their own data needs. Harvard business review, 57(2), 81-93.

85.

Rosacker, K. M., & Olson, D. L. (2008). Public sector information system critical success factors. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 2(1), 60-70.

86.

Rowley, J. (2007). The wisdom hierarchy: representations of the DIKW hierarchy. Journal of Information Science, 33(2), 163-180.

87.

Ruggles, R. (1998). The state of the notion: knowledge management in practice. California management review, 40(3), 80-89.

88.

Saaty, T. L. (2008). Decision making with the analytic hierarchy process. International Journal of Services Sciences, 1(1), 83-98.

89.

Saaty, T. L., & Vargas, L. G. (2001). The seven pillars of the analytic hierarchy process. Models, Methods, Concepts &Applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, 27-46.

90.

Samson, D., & Terziovski, M. (1999). The relationship between total quality management practices and operational performance. Journal of operations management, 17(4), 393-409.

91.

Scalea, T. M., Bochicchio, K. M., Lumpkins, K., Hess, J. R., Dutton, R., Pyle, A., et al. (2008). Early aggressive use of fresh frozen plasma does not improve outcome in critically injured trauma patients. Annals of surgery, 248(4), 578.

92.

Schein, E., & Pettigrew, A. (2005). Organizational culture theory. Classics of organization theory, 360-367.

93.

Serban, A. M., & Luan, J. (2002). Overview of knowledge management. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2002(113), 5-16.

94.

Shanks, G., Parr, A., Hu, B., Corbitt, B., Thanasankit, T., & Seddon, P. (2000). Differences in critical success factors in ERP systems implementation in Australia and China: a cultural analysis. available August 10, 2011, from http://is2.lse.ac.uk/asp/aspecis/20000073.pdf

95.

Sher, P. J., & Lee, V. C. (2004). Information technology as a facilitator for enhancing dynamic capabilities through knowledge management. Information & Management, 41(8), 933-945.

96.

Skyrme, D. J. (2000). Developing a knowledge strategy: From management to leadership. In D. Morey, M. Maybury, &B. Thuraisingham (Eds.), Knowledge management:Classic and contemporary works (pp. 61-84). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

97.

Skyrme, D., & Amidon, D. (1997). The knowledge agenda. Journal of Knowledge Management, 1(1), 27-37.

98.

Skyrme, D. J. (1998). Knowledge management solutions-the IT contribution. Siggroup Bulletin, 19, 34-38.

99.

Skyrme, D. J., & Amidon, D. M. (1997). Creating the knowledge-based business. London, UK: Business Intelligence Limited.

100.

Smith, E. A. (2001). The role of tacit and explicit knowledge in the workplace. Journal of Knowledge Management, 5(4), 311-321.

101.

Somers, T. M., & Nelson, K. (2001). The impact of critical success factors across the stages of enterprise resource planning implementations. Proceeding of the 34th Hawaii International Conference, Maui, Hawaii: HICSS.

102.

Spiegler, I. (2000). Knowledge management: a new idea or a recycled concept? Communications of the AIS, 3(4es), 1-24.

103.

Stehr, N. (1994). Knowledge societies. Londen, UK : Sage Publications Ltd.

104.

Sullivan, P. H. (1999). Profiting from intellectual capital. Journal of Knowledge Management, 3(2), 132-143.

105.

Sveiby, K. E. (1997). The intangible assets monitor. Journal of Human Resource Costing & Accounting, 2(1), 73-97.

106.

Talbani, A., & Hasanali, P. (2000). Adolescent females between tradition and modernity: Gender role socialization in South Asian immigrant culture. Journal of Adolescence, 23(5), 615-627.

107.

Teo, T. S. H., & Ang, J. S. K. (1999). Critical success factors in the alignment of IS plans with business plans. International Journal of Information Management, 19, 173-186.

108.

Tiwana, A. (2000). The knowledge management toolkit: practical techniques for building a knowledge management system. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR.

109.

Turnover rate of National Iranian petrochemical companies (2011). available August 10, 2012, from www.nipc.ir

110.

Valmohammadi, C. (2010). Identification and prioritization of critical success factors of knowledge management in Iranian SMEs: An experts‟ view. Afr. J. Bus. Manage, 4(6), 915-924.

111.

Wang, C. L., & Ahmed, P. K. (2003). Organisational learning: a critical review. The Learning Organization, 10(1), 8-17.

112.

Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning as a social system. Systems thinker, 9(5), 2-3.

113.

Wiig, K. M. (1997). Knowledge management: where did it come from and where will it go? Expert Systems with Applications, 13(1), 1-14.

114.

Wong, K. Y. (2005). Critical success factors for implementing knowledge management in small and medium enterprises. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 105(3), 261-279.

115.

Wong, K. Y., & Aspinwall, E. (2005). An empirical study of the important factors for knowledge-management adoption in the SME sector. Journal of Knowledge Management, 9(3), 64-82.

116.

Yahya, S., & Goh, W. K. (2002). Managing human resources toward achieving knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management, 6(5), 457-468.

117.

Youn, Myoung-kil, & Seol, Sung-Soo (1999). A study on Logistics and Home delivery service for Electronic Commerce in Korea. Journal of Distribution Science, 1(1), 25-38.

118.

Yoon, Y., Guimaraes, T., & O'Neal, Q. (1995). Exploring the factors associated with expert systems success. MIS quarterly, 19(1), 83-106.

119.

Zadeh, L. A. (1994). Fuzzy logic, neural networks, and soft computing. Communications of the ACM, 37(3), 77-84.

The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business