Knowledge management practices: A case study of the Ministry of Gender equality and Child Walfare (MGECW), Namibia
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Date
2016
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This study, titled “A Study of Knowledge Management Practices: A Case Study of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW), Namibia”, offered a unique organisational environment in which organisational KM practices were explored. The study focused on exploring organisational Knowledge Management (KM) in the MGECW through an investigation of KM practices. The case study used a mixed method approach through a concurrent triangulation strategy/design. The qualitative approach was used in interviewing senior managers. This approach offered an in-depth understanding on organisational KM in Namibia. The quantitative approach used questionnaires; which were administered to middle management and looked at the key dimensions of organisational KM practices in the MGECW. The organisation and qualitative respondents were selected using purposive sampling methods. However, quantitative respondents were selected using simple random sampling using the current employee register for a sampling frame. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 to generate descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed manually using content analysis. The study revealed that OK in the MGECW hinges on tacit/implicit OK and explicit OK and respondents had a comprehensive understanding of OK and KM. However, the management of OK was found to be informally practiced without KM structures in place. It was found that there were no structural procedures to encourage employees to share their OK. Organisational KD and KT practices showed a strong preference for the use of fax machines, telephones and face-to-face meetings as forms of dispensing and transferring organisational knowledge in the Ministry. Some barriers of organisational KM in the MGECW included lack of skills in ICT and technical ICT support; poor infrastructure; lack of motivation and reward system; negative attitude of employees towards organisational KM practices; poor record management; lack of time; and lack of funds for training and equipment. The researcher proposes a framework to improve and implement formal organisational KM practices in the MGECW.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Arts in Library and Information Science
Keywords
Knowledge management