Determinants of Knowledge Management Systems Success in Omani Organizations - Case Study Example

Determinants of KMs success in Omani Organizations Name: Institution: Determinants of KMs success in Omani Organizations Introduction Knowledge management systems (KMS) are often considered as different information systems whose development is aimed at boosting the effectiveness of the knowledge management of an organization. The success of any KMS is dependent on several factors which include the individuals that are to use the systems, the prevailing environmental conditions that are largely defined by existing structures that can either support the systems or derail the efficiency of the system. The main objective of this paper is to determine the success of knowledge management systems in Omani organizations. Can factors that influence the success of KMS in Omani Organizations differ from those which influence KM success? All the factors that influence the success of KMs in Omani organizations and the general factors that influence the success of KM from a general perspective are similar except for the factor of reward policy. There are general factors such as training of individuals on how to engage in the process of sharing and managing knowledge within the organization. Through such trainings, it is possible for individuals in any society to engage in effective manipulation and codification of knowledge in ways that promote growth and expansion of the organization. Matching users’ needs is also a factor that is considered to be essential in the success of KMS in Omani organizations and in other organizations in different societies. This is because through matching of user’ needs the systems will be used in ways that satisfy the desires of every member of the organization irrespective of their cultural backgrounds or country of origin. In mist circumstances it is considered important to deliberate n different social and cultural factors before allocating a resource or a system to different individuals within an organization. However, in the operationalization of KMS it is relatively unnecessary to consider such factors since KMS are often need specific and are only applicable to individuals who consider them essential for the realization of organizational goals. It is important to note that prior to the deployment of organizational KMS in any society, there is always need to examine factors that affect the process of knowledge sharing to ensure proper creation of explicit knowledge that can be stored in organizational memory. Reward policy from a general perspective ids considered essential in the success of KMS in most organizations this is because it acts as a motivating factor especially in the process of knowledge sharing considering that the success of KMS project is largely founded on the understanding and participation of employees in ways that will ensure that their knowledge is codified into the system for other employees to use. In Omani organizations just like in most Arab countries, Knowledge is considered as a personal and private matter and introduction of a reward policy will be considered as a strategy aimed at bribing employees into giving away that which they consider private. In order to validate the Study hypotheses, a sample of the Omani organizations was selected. How would the effect on the Study results be if another approach to selecting the sample was employed or the sample size was increased or reduced? The validation process of the study hypothesis by a sampling process which aims at selecting participant in the survey process based on the indicators that must be measures. The validation process will require that the target population be sampled from employees in Omani organization who possess some form of experience with KMS. This is considered realizable through a study of the population and the use of sampling techniques which allow for equal opportunity on the likelihood of a member of the organization being chosen. However, the application of a different sampling approach may interfere with the validation of the hypothesis especially if essential attributes of the target participants re not put into consideration. The application of random sampling approach in a heterogeneous group of participants may affect the outcome of the validation process. An increase or reduction of the sample size will also have an effect on the outcome of the validation process this is because during the research process on the success of KMS on Omani organizations, it is important to determine the population of study to ensure that the sample size is representative of the entire population. A reduction of the sample size may affect the outcome considering that it may fail to capture the views of a sample that is representative of a section of the population and the eventual findings may fail in terms of the integrity of the data in the realization of the objectives of the study. An increase in the sample size may positively affect the validation process considering that the data collected will be inclusive of a larger percentage of the target population and this is essential in authenticating the validity of that data. Inasmuch as Omani population is characterized by individuals from of Arab origin whose cultural and religious practices are generally homogeneous, it is important to note that any alterations in the sample size or sample approach may be contributing to the process of affirming the hypothesis or denying the hypothesis. In some instances such changes may also play a role in the invalidation of that data. These alterations may arise from among other factors different conceptions of the concept of KMS especially in relation to its compatibility with the existing systems, the ease of using KMS in the realization of organizational goals and objectives. How would Omani managers, researchers, and students benefit from the Study’s results? The results of this study are considered beneficial to the management of Omani organizations. This is because they will provide an understanding of the factors that significantly affect the success levels of KMS in the organizations found in Oman. Through these factors the management will be able to understand the measures that they must undertake to ensure that these initiation, implementation and the services offered by KMS are directed towards the realization of organizational goals. From the stud it is realizable that the least significant factor in Omani organization in relation to the success of KMS is the reward policy. This will provide a platform for these organizations to strategize on the best ways to motivate their employees into effective implementation of KMS. It will be important for the management to institute training sessions to increase awareness among employees on the benefits of KMS in the realization of organizational goals and objectives. Through such initiatives it will be possible for the management to improve levels of acceptance and responsibility among employees towards successful implementation of KMS. The findings of the study will also be important for the management of KMS since such studies indicate the underlying benefits associated with proper implementation of KMS especially on knowledge sharing to a repository KMS. High levels of knowledge sharing results in tangible benefits, such as shared performance, and intangible benefit. These will help in improving the reputation of individuals, their performance, work status and levels of experience in using KMS. The study is also beneficial for researchers considering the indication that knowledge management is largely a social-technical process. This means that prior to the development of a knowledge management system it is important to identifying the underlying cultural factors. An investigation into cultural differences in Oman organizations will help in the institutionalization of quality systems that are in agreement with cultural values of different societies. This will ensure that cultural factors are not impediments to the success of KMS. The findings of this study will also be important to researchers considering that it will provide an understanding of the also provide additional areas of study especially on ways through which the management can support their employees into embracing KMS as essential considering the underling importance in organizational development. This study is important to students considering that it helps them in the development of an understanding concerning the essence of samples and sample approaches in a study. In the study of the success of KMS in Omani organizations, students will be able to understand the essences of sample size and approach in the validation of a hypothesis. Students also get to understand KMS, is essence in an organization and the factors that are considered essential to be able to realize its success in organizational development. Conclusion The success of any KMS is dependent on several factors which include the individuals that are to use the systems, the prevailing environmental conditions that are largely defined by existing structures that can either support or derail the efficiency of the system. All the factors that influence the success of KMs in Omani organizations and the general factors that influence the success of KM from a general perspective are similar except for the factor of reward policy. The approaches used in sampling and determining the sample sizes are essential determinant of the possibility of validating or denying a hypothesis. A large sample size has a higher possibility of affirming a hypothesis while a reduced sample size will not be representatives of the target populations. There are also underlying benefits for the management, researchers and students in the understanding of the study on the success of KMS in Omani Organizations. Read More