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Research Article

The Effect of Knowledge Management Infrastructure and Knowledge Management System Processes on Organizational Learning and Performance

Kim, Hoyeol, Jung, Gyeongsu


Published: January 2007 · Vol. 36, No. 2 · pp. 257-296
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Abstract

Although interest in knowledge management has recently increased and research on organizational learning and knowledge conversion has been conducted, empirical studies providing clear evidence on the linkage between knowledge management and organizational learning, and how this contributes to organizational performance, remain insufficient. This study selected factors from three streams of research related to knowledge management—organizational strategy, information technology, and organizational learning—to investigate the relationships between knowledge management infrastructure and knowledge management processes, knowledge management processes and organizational learning, and organizational learning and organizational performance. The results of empirical data analysis targeting 105 domestic firms are as follows. First, the information technology support factor at the technological dimension, learning culture at the organizational culture dimension, top management support at the management dimension, and collaborative culture at the organizational culture dimension were found to have significant effects on organizational knowledge management processes. The reward system factor for knowledge activities showed significant effects only on certain processes of knowledge conversion and knowledge protection. Second, knowledge management infrastructure affects four sub-processes of knowledge management—knowledge acquisition, conversion, application, and protection—and the knowledge acquisition and knowledge application processes lead to creative learning and adaptive learning, ultimately having a substantial impact on organizational performance. Third, in understanding the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure and organizational performance, knowledge management process factors and learning performance factors were found to serve mediating roles. In other words, this provides empirical evidence consistent with existing theoretical research that improvement of knowledge management processes through knowledge management systems contributes to organizational performance by enhancing organizational learning outcomes. These research findings can provide guidelines for formulating knowledge management strategies and designing systems that support organizational knowledge management processes, and can be of help to managers, knowledge management system designers, and researchers.
Keywords: 조직효과성지식경영지식관리 프로세스지식관리시스템창의적 학습적응적 학습조직학습