Knowledge management is an importan

Knowledge management is an important topic in modern management (De Long
& Fahey, 2000; McCuiston & Jamrog, 2005). Both scholars and practitioners recognize
the importance of knowledge to organizations in achieving and maintaining a competitive
advantage (Ciganek, Mao, & Srite, 2008; De Long & Fahey, 2000; Lai & Lee, 2007;
Leonard-Barton, 1995). According to Nonaka (1991), knowledge is an enduring source of
competitive advantage. Some scholars believe that knowledge is the most valuable and
important resource possessed by an organization (Chang & Lee, 2007). Others assert that
knowledge is critical to an organization’s survival (Davenport & Prusak, 1998).
Early research in the field of knowledge management focused on technology as
the key enabler of information transfer (McCuiston & Jamrog, 2005). Practitioners have
made significant investments in information technology to support knowledge
management initiatives (Benbya, 2006). Many of these knowledge management
initiatives have failed to produce the expected results (DeTienne, Dyer, Hoopes, &
Harris, 2004). According to Davenport, Prusak, and Strong (2008, p. R11), “Their