Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management

How to Measure Knowledge Economy

Marcela Katuščáková, Eva Capková, Juraj Grečnár — Fri, 19 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The paper’s primary goal is to analyse the development of Knowledge Economy (KE) measurement methods ranging from those based on national income to indices identifying and combining the relevant indicators. The paper focuses on four current global and European KE level indices: Global Innovation Index (GII), Global Knowledge Index (GKI), European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), and Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), highlighting persistent significant differences in the perception of the very essence of KE, as there is no clear interdisciplinary definition of the initial concept of knowledge, leading to further problems with ambiguous and insufficiently specific definitions and measurement of KE. Tacit aspects of knowledge are rarely part of KE definitions or measurements, excluding a large part of the knowledge system from KE measurements. The results of the analysis show that the set of KE indicators used by the individual KE indices is heterogeneous, with the set of intersecting indicators having different weights in terms of importance. Frequent interventions in the indices by their authors were observed, such as changes in index methodology, the indicators used, main pillars (subindices), etc. Despite the high heterogeneity in the approach to measuring KE, we identified the pillars, which can be viewed as the core pillars of KE. These include, for example the level of ICT, R&D, human resources, innovation, patents, and education.

Employees’ Perceptions on the use of Online Internal Communication for Knowledge Sharing

Paul Waititu, Rachel Barker — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The primary objective of this study was to assess employees’ perceptions on the use of online internal communication (OIC) for knowledge sharing from a personal/individual perspective. This is important because of the emphasis placed on the relevance of knowledge management (KM) in transforming ordinary organisations into learning ones, and to a greater degree through the use of new media technologies. One of the important dimensions of KM that is crucial for organisational learning is knowledge sharing (KS). However, the use of OIC to share knowledge among employees in deposit-taking savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs) in Kenya is still low. Therefore, it is necessary to explore employees’ perceptions and personal/individual factors influencing employees’ online KS using the available OIC tools. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Primary data were collected using an online structured questionnaire targeting the accessible population of 485 mid-level employees of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya, and data were migrated to SPSS version 25.0 to generate descriptive statistics. Thematic coding of data obtained from eight focus group discussions involving 72 employees and in-depth interviews with eight senior managers were presented as narrative analysis. The findings of this study indicated that most employees lacked the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude for adopting OIC for knowledge sharing (KS), and emphasised the need for training prior to the implementation process and an organisational environment that is conducive for attutude modification in the use of existing OIC. This study is unique and adds to the existing body of knowledge in the proposed theoretical framework emphasing the need to enhance KS through OIC, specifically on a personal/individual level, considering the managerial/organisational and technical levels as well, to contribute to organisational learning and innovation to ensure sustainable competitive advantage.

Strategies for Knowledge Sharing Among Rice Farmers: A Ghanaian Perspective

Randy Kommey, Madeleine Fombad — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This article investigates knowledge sharing practices amongst rice farmers in Ghana and suggests a strategy for improving knowledge sharing in rice farming communities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: This study is underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm where concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was used for the study. Data was gathered with survey and interviews. A total sample of 110 was used, involving 101 survey respondents and 9 interview participants. The survey data was analyse descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. The interview finding was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed informal knowledge sharing practices among the rice farmers and suggests a strategy for knowledge sharing that involve partnerships between stakeholders in different sectors, such as government agencies, rice-farming communities; rice production-based NGOs, and researchers. Successful implementation of knowledge sharing would depend on finding and connecting the tools, technologies, and techniques practices. Limitations: The results could not be generalised to knowledge sharing practices among rice framers in Ghana because only three regions were targeted. There is a need for a quantitative comparative study of knowledge sharing by rice farmers in all regions where rice is produced in Ghana. Practical Implications: Rice is an agricultural cereal crop in Ghana and an important source of livelihood for rural poor households. It is consumed and cultivated by many people in the country. When rice farmers engage in efficient knowledge sharing practises knowledge will spread easily among rice farming communities resulting in sustainable agricultural practices that may eradicate hunger and poverty Effective knowledge sharing, offers great potential for addressing the challenges of rice production in Ghana. It will increase rice production, improve the quality of rice yield and safeguard the quality of the natural environment simultaneous. Originality/Value: This article adds to the body of knowledge on knowledge sharing from an agricultural perspective with specific reference to rice farming. Effective knowledge sharing will enhance food security, alleviate climate change challenges, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, thus contributing toward the realisation of Goal 2 of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The findings of this article form part of the finding of the doctoral studies.

Knowledge Management System for Handcrafted Reog Ponorogo Products

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Reog is one of the distinctive cultural practices of Ponorogo. Typically, this art is performed in an open space with many entertainers. Reog Ponorogo enthusiasts will primarily purchase trinkets and handicrafts. Numerous artisans in Reog Ponorogo are members of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs). However, because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Reog Ponorogo artisans have encountered numerous challenges, beginning with the procurement of raw materials, and continuing through the production process and marketing. This even put them out of business with the Reog artisans. A knowledge Management System (KMS) is one of the technologies that can be utilized to surmount the problem under these conditions. Knowledge Management System (KMS) is a centralized database utilized to organize, store, and disseminate organizational knowledge with employees and customers. In this study, the KMS was developed to assist MSME actors in acquiring information and knowledge concerning MSME Products in Reog Ponorogo Handicrafts. Currently, information about Reog Ponorogo is widely available in print and digital media, but it is not governed by a comprehensive information management system. Therefore, building KMS for Reog Ponorogo Handicraft MSMEs is still necessary. In this research, a modified variant of the Knowledge Management System Life Cycle (KMSLC) was used to develop the KMS. This research was conducted in multiple phases, including infrastructure evaluation, team formation, knowledge capture, and KMS design. This study contributes to the creation of a knowledge management system for MSME Reog Ponorogo artisans based on the life cycle of knowledge management systems. This study's findings serve as the basis for the Reog Ponorogo craft knowledge management system. Further research can concentrate on developing the Reog Ponorogo UMKM KMS on Android and iOS mobile phones, enhancing the KMS user interface, and granting both experts and UMKM administrative access to the KMS.