Title: Knowledge management-enablers and barriers: a questionnaire-based study

Authors: Sanjay Kumar; Vinay Singh; Abid Haleem

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Institute of Technology and Management, Murthal, Haryana 131039, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, AKIDO College of Engineering, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia Mallia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India

Abstract: Knowledge Management (KM) has been given due importance by researchers and practicing managers in various industries. This study aims to identify and evaluate important and relevant enablers and barriers in managing KM in Indian manufacturing industries. We have identified 30 enablers and 25 barriers to KM implementation and these identified enablers and barriers have been ranked on the basis of questionnaire-based survey. Questionnaire-based survey has indicated 'team building and knowledge variety', 'employee knowledge' and 'knowledge integration' as the most important enablers and 'pressure for conformity', 'issue of common language required to integrate complex knowledge' and 'employee turnover' as most important barriers. A conceptual model has also been presented based upon the results of the statistical analysis of questionnaire-based survey and subsequent discussions with experts. Appropriate handling of these enablers and barriers may help to ensure effective and efficient KM implementation and a realisation of promised benefits/outcomes like competitive advantage.

Keywords: barriers; competitive advantage; enablers; KM implementation; knowledge management; questionnaire-based study; statistical analysis; India; manufacturing industry; team building; knowledge variety; employee knowledge; knowledge integration; conformity; common language; employee turnover; conceptual modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKEDM.2014.066233

International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Data Mining, 2014 Vol.3 No.1, pp.31 - 57

Received: 10 Jan 2014
Accepted: 01 Sep 2014
Published online: 08 Dec 2014 *

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