Title: Exploring the Asian Productivity Organization model in Iranian electricity distribution companies: an importance-performance analysis

Authors: Sara Damavandi; Hamid Khajouei

Addresses: Department of Economic Studies, University of 'G. d'Annunzio' Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Italy ' Planning and Research Sector, Kerman Regional Electrical Company, Kerman, Iran

Abstract: Nowadays, organisations consider knowledge as a key competitive advantage and consider it even higher than their financial ability. For this reason, knowledge management is accepted as one of the critical success factors. In this research, the combination of resource-based and knowledge-based perspectives has been used to examine the various dimensions of the Asian Productivity Organization model. This work has been done using importance-performance analysis in one of the electricity distribution companies in Iran. To accomplish this, we utilised the fuzzy best-worst method (FBWM) and surveyed with input from 15 experts and 50 survey respondents. The results revealed that 'people', 'knowledge process' and 'learning and innovation' exhibited a low importance-performance level. Furthermore, 'leadership' and 'process' were characterised by low importance, but relatively high performance compared to 'technology' and 'outcomes'. The findings of our study offer valuable recommendations for decision makers in EDCs situated in developing countries to enhance KM practices in their organisations.

Keywords: knowledge management; Asian Productivity Organization model; APO; electricity distribution companies; importance-performance analysis; best-worst method.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2024.144157

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2024 Vol.15 No.4, pp.499 - 514

Received: 03 Feb 2024
Accepted: 11 Dec 2024
Published online: 29 Jan 2025 *

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