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Information Technology as an Enabler Of Knowledge Management: An Empirical Analysis

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Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning

Part of the book series: Annals of Information Systems ((AOIS,volume 4))

Abstract

The past two decades have seen growing interest in knowledge management and the use of information technologies. However, it is not clear how the relation between IT competency and knowledge management works. This study provides a better understanding of that relation. Through an empirical study of 162 Spanish firms, the work finds that IT competency has a direct effect on the processes of knowledge management: knowledge generation, knowledge transfer, and knowledge codification and storage. At the same time, IT competency also has an indirect effect on knowledge management by facilitating the development of organizational structures that favor the development and expansion of knowledge. These findings reinforce a field that is of increasing interest to researchers, and which has seen only a limited number of empirical studies to date.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, University of Oviedo, Avda. del Cristo, s/n 33071, Oviedo, Spain

    Susana Pérez López, José Manuel Montes Peón & Camilo José Vázquez Ordás

Authors
  1. Susana Pérez López
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  2. José Manuel Montes Peón
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  3. Camilo José Vázquez Ordás
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Correspondence to Susana Pérez López .

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    Appendix: Measurement Scale Items

    Appendix: Measurement Scale Items

    IT competency

    IT knowledge

    V1

    Overall, our technical support staff is knowledgeable when it comes to computer-based systems.

    V2

    Our firm possesses a high degree of computer-based technical expertise.

    V3

    We are very knowledgeable about new computer-based innovations.

    IT operations

    V4

    We routinely utilize computer-based systems to access information from outside databases.

    V5

    We use computer-based systems to analyze customer and market information.

    V6

    We utilize decision-support systems frequently when managing customer information.

    V7

    We have set procedures for collecting customer information from online sources.

    IT infrastructure

    V8

    Our company has a formal MIS department.

    V9

    Our firm employs a manager whose main duties include the management of our information technology.

    V10

    Our firm’s members are linked by a computer network.

    V11

    Our firm creates customized software applications when the need arises.

    Knowledge management

    Knowledge generation

    V12

    We regularly meet with our customers to find out what their needs will be in the future.

    V13

    The company is in touch with professionals and expert technicians.

    V14

    We have a system that allows us to learn successful practices from other organizations.

    V15

    New ideas and approaches on work performance are experimented continuously.

    Knowledge transfer

    V16

    All members are informed about the aims of the company.

    V17

    Meetings are periodically held to inform all the employees about the latest innovations in the company.

    V18

    The company guarantees the sharing of best practices among the different fields of the activity.

    V19

    Teamwork is a very common practice in the company.

    Knowledge codification and storage

    V20

    Databases are always kept up to date.

    V21

    Employees often consult the databases.

    V22

    The codification and knowledge administration system makes work easier for the employees.

    Structure

    V23

    Organizational structure is flat.

    V24

    Departmental structure facilitates interaction between individuals and exchange of knowledge.

    V25

    Communication is fluid in both directions of hierarchical pyramid (horizontal and vertical).

    V26

    Decision making is decentralized.

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    López, S., Peón, J., Ordás, C. (2009). Information Technology as an Enabler Of Knowledge Management: An Empirical Analysis. In: King, W. (eds) Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning. Annals of Information Systems, vol 4. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0011-1_8

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