Knowledge Management Practices and Performance of Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning in Kenya

Abstract

Knowledge, both explicit and tacit, is critical for any organisation to thrive and achieve its goals and objectives. This study looks into the management of knowledge at the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning and its effect on the performance of the organisation. Knowledge Management provides the strategy required to ensure that informed decisions are made, improve accountability and ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. The success of any reforms to ensure the achievement of the above highly depends on Knowledge Management. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of Knowledge Acquisition, Knowledge Repository, Knowledge Sharing and knowledge Evaluation and interpretation on the Performance of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. The study was guided by the Resource Based View of the Firm and the Knowledge Based View of the Firm. The study adopted a mixed research design of explanatory and cross-sectional designs. The target population was 1345 employees of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning Headquarters. Stratified sampling procedure was used to select the sample whose size was 135 employees. Primary data was collected by use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study used descriptive statistics specifically percentages, mean and standard deviation to explain the characteristics of data while inferential statistics specifically multiple regression were used to test the relationship between knowledge acquisition, knowledge repository, knowledge sharing and knowledge evaluation and interpretation and the performance of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Tables, figures and narratives were used to present the results. The study was aided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) tool. The study established that knowledge acquisition, knowledge repository, knowledge sharing and knowledge evaluation and interpretation influence the performance of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. The study recommends the creation of an office to take charge of Knowledge Management. The management should be committed in creating a strong and positive culture that will result in improved performance. Technology should be used to ensure that people in multiple locations for instance the diverse offices for the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning learn from and access information as individuals or as a group from a single or diverse sources at different points in time. This will further enhance the performance of the organization.