Knowledge Management for Supporting Transformation into a Learning Organization: king Abdulaziz University case study

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the perspectives of the teaching staffmembers in king Abdul Aziz university in Jeddah concerning the reality of knowledgemanagement processes at the university, to what extent these processes contribute toachieve the learning organization dimensions, and to identify the obstacles to benefit fromknowledge management in transition to a learning organization. The study alsoinvestigated the extent of different views of the participants in light of the variables ofgender, position, years of experience, and specialization. In addition, the study sought todevelop a suggested scenario for how to achieve the learning organization dimensionsbased on knowledge management processes.In order to achieve the aims of the study, the case study approach has beenemployed. The social unit under study and analysis was the "King Abdul Aziz Universityin Jeddah" with its systems and individuals. Based on this approach, data collection hasbeen carried out by means of the following instruments: the theoretical analyticdescription, surveying questionnaire, and developing the suggested scenario.The field study has been administered to a sample consisting of (419) staffmembers at the university. The questionnaire employed included three main axesinvestigating: the reality of applying knowledge management processes, the status quo oflearning organization dimensions according to Marsick & Watkins’ (2003) model, and theobstacles to benefit from knowledge management processes in attaining learningorganization dimensions. The external validity as well as the internal consistency of thequestionnaire have been verified, in addition to verifying the reliability of thequestionnaire using Alpha Cronbach coefficient.The results of the study revealed that according to the perspectives of theteaching staff members in king Abdul Aziz university, the application of knowledgemanagement processes in King Abdul Aziz University, as well as the existence oflearning organization dimensions were average. On the other hand there were majorobstacles to benefit from knowledge management processes in attaining learningorganization dimensions. The results also found significant differences in the participants’perspectives according to the variables of gender, the employment position, years ofexperience, and specialization. In light of the results reached, the researcher developed asuggested scenario for how to transfer King Abdul Aziz University into a learningorganization based on knowledge management processes and principles. The studyconcluded with presenting recommendations and suggestions for future research.