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Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-125).
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC)
2015
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| _version_ | 1867613696736362496 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Aliba, Beatrice |
| author2 | Smith, Janet Gretchen |
| author_browse | Aliba, Beatrice Smith, Janet Gretchen |
| author_facet | Smith, Janet Gretchen Aliba, Beatrice |
| author_sort | Aliba, Beatrice |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-125). |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14703 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:40:15.546Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC) |
| publisherStr | Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC) |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14703 Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit Aliba, Beatrice Smith, Janet Gretchen Library and Information Science Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-125). This dissertation focuses on a knowledge audit that was conducted in a research organisation (PLAAS) at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. A knowledge and information audit provides a framework that examines the ways in which an organisation handles and leverages its knowledge and information assets. The audit examines ways an organisation creates, generates, disseminates, stores and shares its knowledge and information resources. In the process, the gaps, sinks, and duplications are revealed; providing useful information that can support decision making and knowledge management initiatives to enhance organisational productivity and effectiveness. This relates specifically to developing relevant information and knowledge strategies, to understanding an organisation's knowledge and information needs and aligning these with the right tools that will facilitate efficiency in an organisation's core engagements. This knowledge and information audit was exploratory in nature and sought to understand the current information and knowledge environment of the organisation. It was anticipated that the results would augment and feed into the current reflections of the organisation on how to leverage its knowledge and information assets and improve efficiency and remain competitive in the market place. The audit was carried out at PLAAS, a research unit that produces considerable research output based on the empirical studies that the staff conducts. The organisation, in addition, is actively involved in forums that debate and engage with various players in the land and agrarian sector in South Africa. These engagements are at a level where they influence policy matters related to land and agrarian matters in the new South Africa. This audit sought to examine what information and knowledge supports core engagements of the staff, what information and knowledge they use, where they find it and in the process establish the gaps, and challenges staff face as they carry out their core research duties. The audit adopted a qualitative approach to research, where interviews were the primary source of data collection. An interview guide was developed to facilitate the data collection and twelve (12) interviews were conducted. The themes, recurring items, and unique views that emerged guided the analysis. Recommendations to improve the current knowledge and information environment took the form of a 'Road Map for Knowledge Management' that the organisation can adopt to enhance the current operating system. The knowledge and information audit showed that the organisation is very knowledge-oriented and extensively engaged in knowledge work even though this is not explicitly referred to as 'Knowledge Management'. Many shortcomings were identified with regard to the knowledge and information system that is currently in place and these specifically relate to: the organisational structure, organisational memory, organisational technology infrastructure, infrastructure, knowledge sharing activities, and the organisational culture. The results suggested that the organisation needs to strengthen aspects in these areas in order to remain efficient and support the staff in their daily work activities. The outcomes further suggest that knowledge audit methodologies (as an area of knowledge management) need to develop and be standardized and that more research needs to be conducted in this field of knowledge management. 2015-11-08T04:45:15Z 2015-11-08T04:45:15Z 2008 Master Thesis Masters MLIS http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14703 eng application/pdf Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC) University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Library and Information Science Aliba, Beatrice Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit |
| title_full | Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit |
| title_short | Knowledge management in research organisations : a knowledge audit |
| title_sort | knowledge management in research organisations a knowledge audit |
| topic | Library and Information Science |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14703 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alibabeatrice knowledgemanagementinresearchorganisationsaknowledgeaudit |