Skip to main content
Log in

Knowledge management process effectiveness: measurement of preliminary knowledge management implementation

  • Article
  • Published:
Knowledge Management Research & Practice

Abstract

While knowledge management (KM) has been widely discussed by many academics and practitioners, measurement is undoubtedly the least developed aspect of KM due to the intangibility of knowledge assets. It is of paramount importance to establish performance measures at different stages of KM implementation even from the beginning so that its effectiveness can be identified. This paper thus serves to explore KM performance measurement from the angle of KM process effectiveness. Through the data collected from 289 managers in the Malaysian telecommunication industry, where KM implementation is just beginning to take place, significant interactions were found between four of the five proposed KM preliminary success factors (i.e. business strategy, K audit, K map, KM team) and all four KM elements of strategies (i.e. technology, culture, leadership, measurement) with KM process effectiveness. The findings of this study serve as a guide for organizations in driving their KM journey and reaching their destinations even at the beginning stage of their KM implementation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed PK, Lim K and Zairi M (1999) Measurement practice for knowledge management. Journal of Workplace Learning: Employee Counselling Today 11 (8), 304–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed S and Omar K (2007) Knowledge management and organizational performance in the Egyptian software firms. International Journal of Knowledge Management 3 (4), 37–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barney J (1995) Looking inside for competitive advantage. Academy of Management Executive 9 (4), 49–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett R and Gabriel H (1999) Organisational factors and knowledge management within large marketing departments: an empirical study. Journal of Knowledge Management 3 (3), 212–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binney D (2001) The knowldge management spectrum – understanding the KM landscape. Journal of Knowledge Management 5 (1), 33–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bohn RE (1994) Measuring and managing technological knowledge. Sloan Management Review 36 (1), 61–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boumarafi B and Jabnoun N (2008) Knowledge management and performance in UAE business organizations. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 6 (3), 233–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carneiro A (2001) The role of intelligent resources in knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management 5 (4), 358–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chase RL (1997) The knowledge-based organisation: an international survey. Journal of Knowledge Management 1 (1), 38–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi YS (2000) An empirical study of factors affecting successful implementation of knowledge management. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nebraska.

  • Chong CW and Yeow PHP (2005) An empirical study of perceived importance and actual implementation of knowledge management process in the Malaysian Telecommunication Industry. In Proceedings ofICTM 2005 Challenges and Prospects, pp 182–192, Faculty of Business and Law, Multimedia University, Malaysia.

  • Chong CW, Chong SC and Wong KY (2009) Is the Malaysian telecommunication industry ready for knowledge management implementation? Journal of Knowledge Management 13 (1), 69–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong CW, Chong SC and Yeow PHP (2006a) KM implementation in Malaysian telecommunication industry: an empirical analysis. Industrial Management & Data Systems 106 (8), 1112–1132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong SC (2006a) KM implementation and its influence on performance: an empirical evidence from Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor companies. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management 5 (1), 21–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong SC (2006b) KM critical success factors: a comparison of perceived importance versus implementation in Malaysian ICT companies. The Learning Organization: An International Journal 13 (3), 230–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong SC (2006c) Criteria for measuring knowledge management performance outcomes in organizations: a theoretical context. In Proceedings of the Knowledge Management International Conference and Exhibition 2006, pp 123–131, Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

  • Chong SC and Choi YS (2005) Critical factors in the successful implementation of knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice 5 [WWW document] http://www.tlainc.com/articl90.htm (accessed February 2009).

  • Chong SC, Wong KY and Lin B (2006b) Criteria for measuring KM outcomes in organizations. Industrial Management & Data Systems 106 (7), 917–936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Civi E (2000) Knowledge management as a competitive asset: a review marketing intelligence and planning. Journal of Knowledge Management 18 (4), 166–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coukos ED (2001) Knowledge management: processes and strategies used in research universities. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.

  • Covin T, Hall N, Smalt S and Stivers B (1997) Harnessing corporate IQ. CA Magazine 130 (3), 26–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curado C (2008) Perceptions of knowledge management and intellectual capital in the banking industry. Journal of Knowledge Management 12 (3), 141–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dattero R, Galup SD and Quan JJ (2007) The knowledge audit: meta-matrix analysis. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 5 (3), 213–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davenport T, De Long D and Beers M (1998) Successful knowledge management projects. Sloan Management Review 39 (2), 43–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport T and Prusak L (1998) Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Long D, Davenport T and Beers M (1996) The processes and practices of knowledge management. Special Report. [WWW document] http://www.cbi.cgey.com/cgi-bin/pubs.plx?sort=author (accessed March 2007).

  • Dove R (1998) Knowledge management – it's not just in the IT department. Production 110 (3), 26–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Droge C, Claycomb C and Germain R (2003) Does knowledge mediate the effect of context on performance? Some initial evidence. Decision Science 34 (3), 541–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyer G (2000) KM crosses the chasm – IDC state of the market survey. Knowledge Management 3 (3), 50–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Earl MJ (1999) Opinion: what is a chief knowledge officer? Sloan Management Review 40 (2), 29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edvardsson IR (2006) Knowledge management in SMEs. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 4 (4), 275–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edvinsson L and Malone MS (1997) Intellectual Capital. HarperCollins, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egbu CO, Hari S and Renukappa SH (2005) Knowledge management for sustainable competitiveness in small and medium surveying practices. Structural Survey 23 (1), 7–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elsa R, O’Sullivan KJ and Stankosky M (2007) An evaluation of factors that influence the success of knowledge management practices in U.S. federal agencies. International Journal of Knowledge Management 3 (2), 31–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galagan P (1997) Smart companies. Training and Development 51 (12), 20–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geraint J (1998) Share strength: developing a culture of knowledge sharing. People Management 4 (16), 44–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goh S (1998) Toward a learning organisation: the strategic building blocks. Advanced Management Journal 63 (2), 15–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorry GA (2008) Sharing knowledge in the public sector: two case studies. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 6 (2), 105–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant RM and Baden-Fuller C (2004) A knowledge accessing theory of strategic alliances. Journal of Management Studies 41 (1), 61–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greengard S (1998) Will your culture support KM? Workforce 77 (10), 93–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta B, Lakshmi S and Iyer JEA (2000) Knowledge management: practices and challenges. Industrial Management & Data Systems 100 (1), 17–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haas MR (2002) Acting on what others know: distributed knowledge nada team performance. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Harvard University.

  • Hall BP (2001) Values development and learning organisations. Journal of Knowledge Management 5 (1), 19–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallett I and Stephens D (2003) The knowledge management paradox. National Productivity Review 19 (1), 59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartz C, Sammis S, Hofer-Alfeis J, Lopez K, Raybourn C and Wilson J (2006) Measurement for knowledge management. [WWW document] http://www.destinationkm.com/articles/default.asp?ArticlesID=367 (accessed March 2007).

  • Holt DT, Bartczak SE, Clark SW and Trent MR (2007) the development of an instrument to measure readiness for knowledge management. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 5 (2), 75–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hung YC, Huang SM, Lin QP and Tsai ML (2005) Critical factors in adopting a knowledge management system for the pharmaceutical industry. Industrial Management & Data Systems 105 (2), 164–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jager MD (1999) The KMAT: benchmarking knowledge management. Library Management 20 (7), 367–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarrar YF (2002) Knowledge management: learning for organisational experience. Managerial Auditing Journal 17 (6), 322–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johannessen J and Olsen B (2003) Knowledge management and sustainable competitive advantage: the impact of dynamic contextual training. International Journal of Information Management 23 (4), 277–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalsom S and Syed Noh SA (2006) KM strategy for E-Government: an exploratory study of local authorities in Malaysia. In Proceedings of the Knowledge Management International Conference and Exhibition 2006, pp 257–265, Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

  • Kess P, Phusavat K and Takala J (2008) Managing external knowledge: framework for organisational life cycles. International Journal of Innovation and Learning 5 (3), 255–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levette GP and Guenov MD (2000) A methodology for knowledge management implementation. Journal of Knowledge Management 4 (3), 258–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levine L (2001) Integrating and processes in a learning organisation. Information Systems Management 18 (1), 21–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liebowitz J (2008) Think of others in knowledge management: making culture work for you. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 6 (1), 47–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra Y (1998) TOOLS@WORK: deciphering the knowledge management hype. Journal for Quality and Participation: Special Issue on Learning and Information Management 21 (4), 58–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martensson M (2000) A critical review of knowledge management as a management tool. Journal of Knowledge Management 4 (3), 204–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matzkin DS (2008) Knowledge management in the Peruvian non-profit sector. Journal of Knowledge Management 12 (4), 147–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAdam R and Reid R (2001) SME and large organization perceptions of knowledge management: comparisons and contrasts. Journal of Knowledge Management 5 (3), 231–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDermott R and O’Dell C (2001) Overcoming cultural barriers to sharing knowledge. Journal of Knowledge Management 5 (1), 76–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mintzberg H (1996) Musings on management. Harvard Business Review 74 (4), 61–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moffet S, McAdam R and Parkinson S (2003) An empirical analysis of knowledge management applications. Journal of Knowledge Management 7 (3), 6–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohrman SA, Cohen SG and Mohrman Jr AM (1995) Designing Team-based Organizations: New Forms for Knowledge Work. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadkarni R (1995) A not-so-secret recipe for successful TQM. Quality Progress 28 (11), 91–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt K (2002) Designing a knowledge management system. 8 February [WWW document] http://academic.edu:2081/products/faulknerlibrary/00018382.htm (accessed March 2007).

  • Nonaka I and Takeuchi H (1995) The Knowledge Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally JC (1978) Psychometrics Methods. McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Dell C and Grayson J (1999) If Only We Know What We Know: The Transfer of Internal Knowledge and Best Practice. Simon and Schuster, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okunoye A and Karsten H (2002) Where the global needs the local: variation in enablers in the knowledge management process. Journal of Global Information Technology Management 5 (3), 12–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pathirage C, Haigh R, Amaratunga D and Baldry D (2008) Knowledge management practices in facilities organisations: a case study. Journal of Facilities Management 6 (1), 5–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips A (1994) Creating space in the learning company. In Towards the Learning Company (BURGOYNE J, PEDLAR M and BOYDELL T, Eds), McGraw-Hill, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pillania RK (2008) Strategic issues in knowledge management in small and medium enterprises. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 6 (4), 334–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribiere VM (2001) Accessing knowledge management initiative successes as a function of organisational culture. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, The George Washington University.

  • Ruikar K, Anumba CJ and Egbu C (2007) Integrated use of technologies and techniques for construction knowledge management. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 5 (4), 297–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rune G and Petter G (2007) Information technology in value shop activities: an exploratory study of knowledge reuse in Norwegian police investigations. International Journal of Knowledge Management 3 (4), 111–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan SD and Prybutok VR (2001) Factors affecting knowledge management in practice. California Management Review 40 (3), 80–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salleh Y and Goh WK (2002) Managing human resources toward achieving knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management 6 (5), 457–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharmillah Devi R, Chong SC and Lin B (2008) Perceived importance and effectiveness of KM performance outcomes: perspectives of institutions of higher learning. International Journal of Innovation and Learning 5 (1), 18–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp D (2003) Knowledge management today: challenges and opportunities. Information Systems Management 20 (2), 32–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skyrme D and Amidon D (1997) The knowledge agenda. Journal of Knowledge Management 1 (1), 27–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stankosky M and Baldanza C (2001) A systems approach to engineering a KM system. Unpublished Manuscript.

  • Stewart TA (1997) Intellectual Capital: The New Wealth of Organisations. Doubleday/Currency, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sveiby KE (2000) What is knowledge management. [WWW document] http://www.sveiby.com.ay/KnowledgeManagement.html (accessed September 2006).

  • Syed-Ikhsan SOS and Rowland F (2004a) Knowledge management in a public organization: a study on the relationship between organizational elements and the performance of knowledge transfer. Journal of Knowledge Management 8 (2), 95–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syed-Ikhsan SOS and Rowland F (2004b) Benchmarking knowledge management in a public organisation in Malaysia. Benchmarking: An International Journal 11 (3), 238–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiwana A (2000) The Knowledge Management Toolkit: Practical Techniques for Building a Knowledge Management System. Prentice-Hall PTR, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Truch E (2001) Managing personal knowledge: the key to tomorrow's employability. Journal of Change Management 2 (2), 102–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Buren M (1999) A yardstick for knowledge management: measuring and managing intellectual capital. Training and Development 53 (5), 71–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wah L (1999) Making knowledge stick. Management Review 88 (5), 24–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei L, Alexandre A, Martin M, Tim W and Reed S (2007) Impact of Chinese culture values on knowledge sharing through on-line community of practices. International Journal of Knowledge Management 3 (3), 46–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiig K (1997) Knowledge management: where did it come from and where will it go? Expert Systems with Applications 13 (1), 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wild RH, Griggs KA and Downing T (2002) A framework for e-learning as a tool for knowledge management. Industrial Management & Data Systems 102 (7), 371–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong KY (2005) Critical success factors for implementing knowledge management in small and medium enterprises. Industrial Management & Data Systems 105 (3), 261–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi Z (2008) Knowledge management for library strategic planning: perceptions of applications and benefits. Library Management 29 (3), 229–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang MJ (2007) An empirical assessment of the performance impacts of IS support for knowledge transfer. International Journal of Knowledge Management 3 (1), 66–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Chin Wei Chong or Siong Choy Chong.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chong, C., Chong, S. Knowledge management process effectiveness: measurement of preliminary knowledge management implementation. Knowl Manage Res Pract 7, 142–151 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2009.5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2009.5

Keywords

Navigation