An Examination of Knowledge Management Principal Factors in the University Setting: a case study

Islamic Republic of Iran is demanding to create a knowledge based society and a developed country by implementation of Development Plans and reaching the goals of the National Twenty Year Outlook Plan. This vital affair needs knowledge management in the universities and higher education centers. Knowledge management is an approach that is stemmed from business sectors and is slowly accepted in the university environments for quality scientific activities’ improvements. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge management principal factors in the university setting. A graduate public university with 383 faculty members was selected. A total of 100 individuals participated in this study. A researcher-made questionnaire, including 49 closed and 3 opened questions was used as an information gathering instrument. Factor analysis is used to uncover the dimensions of knowledge management. Based on research findings, knowledge management principal factors at the sample university were creation (research), dissemination (teaching), applications (social services) and storage of knowledge.