Knowledge management : an exploratory study on oil and gas contractors in Malaysia
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Date
2006-10
Authors
Lee, Kim Zoo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Knowledge management (KM) is said to improve organisational performance
and increase competitive advantage. This study investigates whether foreign
and local oil and gas contractors in Malaysia purposively manage their
knowledge asset, and if so how. Specifically it looks into how knowledge is
created, captured, stored, shared and protected. Additionally, organisational
culture, structure, human resource management and information technology in
relation to KM are explored. The investigative-descriptive approach using
multiple case studies was adopted. Data was collected and triangulated using
postal questionnaires, interviews and secondary sources. Out of the 90 known
oil and gas contractors in Malaysia, 12 (5 foreign and 7 local), became the case
studies for this research. Of the 5 foreign companies, 4 manage their
knowledge systematically. Headquarters-subsidiary relationship is found to
have an important influence on KM. Of the 7 local companies, only 1 manages
its knowledge asset purposively and 3 are either in the midst or planning to do
so. The possible factors behind the decision to adopt or avoid KM are clients,
international competitors, knowledge expansion, technological discontinuity,
size and top management. Of the 4 foreign and locai oii and gas contractors
that manage their knowledge actively, culture, structure, human resource
management and information technology are used in varying ways and degrees
for KM. Since this is an exploratory study, further research is recommended to
investigate interesting points highlighted by the findings.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge management (KM)