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An Issues Framework for the Role of Organisational Culture and Climate in Knowledge Management
Abstract
A major facilitator of Knowledge Management according to the literature is an appropriate organisational culture or climate, especially one that fosters the sharing of knowledge on a widespread scale. It may be perceived by organisations that a radical reshaping of their organisational culture is required to effectively manage knowledge. The issue of appropriate organisational cultures for effective knowledge management is the main theme of this paper. We use a study of a large university to examine the influences of the organisational culture on proposed knowledge management initiatives. The university in the study is operating in a climate of rationalisation, corporatisation and marketisation; these characteristics having a profound influence on the organisational culture. The staff felt that the competitive environment, the lack of trust and the formality of many business practices would work against knowledge sharing. We argue that it is unlikely in the short term that most corporate cultures will transform to better accommodate knowledge management practices and as a result most KM practices, especially if they are IT driven will only have a superficial impact. To make a significant impact organisations must try to develop a conducive knowledge sharing culture.
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