Executives’ Perspectives on Knowledge Management.

Abstract

Abstract Garvin (1993) argues that discussions on knowledge management are held on a philosophical `high ground` and are removed from the daily details of practice. This research report had two main objectives: firstly, to assess the state of knowledge management amongst middle to senior level executives in South Africa and secondly, to compare the results with those of a similar study undertaken in America and Europe. In order to achieve this the research questionnaire included four categories for investigation:  The reasons for executives’ management of knowledge  Identification of the levers that executives use in the management of knowledge  Identification of the challenges that executives need to overcome in order to manage knowledge successfully  The extent and nature of knowledge management projects The study revealed that executives in both studies hold similar views on the need for levers in management and on the challenges of knowledge management. One of the main findings was that respondents, in both studies, believed knowledge management to be a forum for the creation of sustainable strategic advantage.