IMPACT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ENABLERS AND PROCESSES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This research is conceived to empirically analyse the impact of knowledge management enablers and processes on organizational performance. To identify and assess knowledge management enablers like culture, Structure, People, and Information Technology; and the impact of knowledge creation process like Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization on improving organizational performance, is the focal objective of this study. Empirical research has explored the relationships between these factors in isolation. This paper develops a research model that interconnects knowledge management enablers and knowledge creation process and performance, to close the existing gap. To establish credibility between knowledge creation and performance, organizational creativity is incorporated into the model. The results from the analyses conducted confirmed that the best path for organizations, in this case, Nigerian Banks to achieve and enhance better organizational performance is through organizational creativity that can be achieved through knowledge creation process that involves knowledge enablers. Since globalization has brought about a new set of challenges and issues that organizations today must deal with, to remain competitive and become successful, organizations need to look outside the box for strategies to cope with such challenges and issues. In the changeable scenario, optimizing human, information technology and intellectual capital is the major challenge for all organizations. If globalization is the business of mindset, equipment, and behavioural change, then the role of knowledge management practices becomes integral to the growth of business.

Keywords: Knowledge Management, Knowledge creation processes, Knowledge management enablers, Organizational creativity, Organizational performance.