Impact of information technology on knowledge management at a selected university of technology

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an enormous financial investment and its typical intended result is a subsequent positive effect on knowledge management and individual work performance which thus benefit the organisation through strategic competitive advantage. ICT plays a significant role in implementing and supporting knowledge management (KM). However, there are barriers hampering KM due to ineffective use of ICT such as poor knowledge coordination and transfer and unreliability of systems. The main aim of this research was to determine how ICT impacts on KM within higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa. Based on the primary research objective, the secondary research objectives were to explore the benefits of ICT in HEIs, find out what the barriers to implementing ICT in HEIs are and explore the key functions of knowledge management at HEIs. The outcome of this study was the proposing of general guidelines for ICT use in order to positively propel knowledge management for competitive advantage of HEIs. The methodology utilised in this study is a case study with a mixed qualitative and quantitative method. Data was collected through questionnaires, site observations and interviews from staff members (n=111) at a selected University in the Western Cape, South Africa. The questionnaire was used for quantitative data, and analysed and interpreted using SPSS software, whereas site observations and interviews were used for qualitative data and analysed through content analysis. The findings indicate that ICT users have varied levels of competencies when it comes to ICT use. It highlights the challenge for the university management to improve the ICT skills of staff members so that they may expand their ability to comfortably manoeuvre through the ICT system and maximise its benefits, and ultimately, to be more productive for the university. The findings further reveal that there is a need to establish general guidelines for ICT use in order to positively propel KM for competitive advantage of HEIs. Based on the research findings, this study recommends that the university take a comparative approach and examine the gaps in ICT use within the institution. Moreover, it will also be interesting to find out the experiences and views of stakeholders in ICT use at other HEIs such as students, management and teaching staff. This will generate valuable information that can shed more light on the opportunities and challenges of ICT use in KM in HEIs.