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Influence of diverse cultural backgrounds of SME employees with regard to information and knowledge sharing
Author(s)
Nyatsambo, Tinashe Emmanuel
Date Issued
2012
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Knowledge management has become a critical success factor in business
organisations today. Significant research has been conducted globally and various
authors and researchers seem to agree that knowledge management is a tool, which
organisations can use to gain competitive advantage. However, to be able to
effectively use knowledge management as a tool, organisations should overcome
certain hurdles.
One of the key areas within knowledge management is knowledge sharing and for
this to happen smoothly, companies should appreciate the value of their information
and knowledge resources. Promoting effective sharing and transfer of intellectual
assets is the core of knowledge management. Knowledge sharing is, therefore, vital
for the success of a knowledge management system. One of the primary barriers to
this success exists when there is no continuous flow of information and knowledge
within an organisation. With the world economy becoming increasingly global, organisations have become
more diversified than ever. When employees from various backgrounds come
together in a company, knowledge sharing should take place in spite of cultural
differences. In this research study diversification is concerned with social and cultural
backgrounds. National culture and social backgrounds have been identified by
researchers as factors that impact knowledge sharing. Diversified companies
normally have a number of languages spoken amongst employees, since employees
come from different ethnic groups, which all add to the task at hand with regard to
successful knowledge management.
Culture influences the way that people think, behave and the way in which they
manage knowledge. Culture defines who people are, which certainly has an effect
on knowledge management, hence the need to have a better understanding of
culture and knowledge management. This research therefore, focuses mainly on
information and knowledge sharing in socially and culturally diverse SMEs. There is a
need to conduct more research in this area, since South Africa is a culturally
diversified country.
organisations today. Significant research has been conducted globally and various
authors and researchers seem to agree that knowledge management is a tool, which
organisations can use to gain competitive advantage. However, to be able to
effectively use knowledge management as a tool, organisations should overcome
certain hurdles.
One of the key areas within knowledge management is knowledge sharing and for
this to happen smoothly, companies should appreciate the value of their information
and knowledge resources. Promoting effective sharing and transfer of intellectual
assets is the core of knowledge management. Knowledge sharing is, therefore, vital
for the success of a knowledge management system. One of the primary barriers to
this success exists when there is no continuous flow of information and knowledge
within an organisation. With the world economy becoming increasingly global, organisations have become
more diversified than ever. When employees from various backgrounds come
together in a company, knowledge sharing should take place in spite of cultural
differences. In this research study diversification is concerned with social and cultural
backgrounds. National culture and social backgrounds have been identified by
researchers as factors that impact knowledge sharing. Diversified companies
normally have a number of languages spoken amongst employees, since employees
come from different ethnic groups, which all add to the task at hand with regard to
successful knowledge management.
Culture influences the way that people think, behave and the way in which they
manage knowledge. Culture defines who people are, which certainly has an effect
on knowledge management, hence the need to have a better understanding of
culture and knowledge management. This research therefore, focuses mainly on
information and knowledge sharing in socially and culturally diverse SMEs. There is a
need to conduct more research in this area, since South Africa is a culturally
diversified country.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012.
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