Designing a Model of Knowledge Management Barriers in the Oil-Rich Regions of Southern Iran
Keywords:
knowledge sharing, knowledge storage , knowledge creation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge management, Southern oil-rich regionsAbstract
This study aims to design and validate a comprehensive model of knowledge management barriers in the oil-rich regions of southern Iran in order to enhance the effectiveness of organizational knowledge management systems. This research employed a mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, document analysis and expert interviews were conducted using open, axial, and selective coding, leading to the identification of nine key components classified into five dimensions: knowledge acquisition, creation, storage, sharing, and application barriers. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 367 experts working in the oil-rich regions. Convergent and discriminant validity and reliability were confirmed. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were performed using SmartPLS software, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to prioritize the barrier dimensions. The results of structural modeling indicated that all five dimensions of knowledge management barriers had significant effects on the non-implementation of knowledge management (p<0.001). Knowledge application barriers exerted the strongest influence (β=0.542), followed by knowledge sharing (β=0.510) and knowledge storage (β=0.472). The global goodness-of-fit index demonstrated strong model fit (GOF=0.409). AHP results revealed that knowledge acquisition barriers ranked highest (weight=0.300), followed by knowledge creation barriers (weight=0.249). The strongest correlation was observed between knowledge creation and application barriers (r=0.749), while the weakest occurred between knowledge sharing and application barriers (r=0.431). The findings demonstrate that ineffective implementation of knowledge management in the oil-rich regions is driven by an interconnected system of structural, human, cultural, technological, and managerial barriers, and addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive and region-specific systemic strategy.
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