An Appraisal of the Knowledge Management Maturity Level, and Providing Improvement Plans (Case Study: Havanaja)

This research aimed at evaluating knowledge management maturity level, and providing improvement plans for Havanaja. Research population included all 400 employees in Havanaja. Data collection was conducted in two phases, employing questionnaires and interviews. In the first phase, quantitative data were collected through standard questionnaire of Asian Productivity Organization having 42 items. Using Cochran formula, a number of 196 people was selected as the sample group. Using stratified random sampling, 280 questionnaires were distributed in all departments, and 249 employees filled in the questionnaires. In the second phase of data collection, six individuals were interviewed. The results of data analysis indicated that Havanaja is at the second step of five steps of knowledge management maturity level, getting 123.82 out of 210 highest score. In terms of the seven knowledge management criteria, the criterion of process was identified as the first, receiving 18.74 out of 30 highest score. The lowest rank was given to individuals’ criteria, receiving 16.51 out of 30 highest score. The rest five criteria were ranked at second to sixth respectively: technology, knowledge management results, leadership, learning and innovation, and knowledge processes. Based on qualitative data, the most important improvement opportunities in terms of knowledge management in Havanaja included: lack of a formal and systematic process for identification, creation, storage, sharing, and application of knowledge in the organization; poor knowledge sharing culture due to saving personal benefits, high formality and low meritocracy as a barrier to knowledge sharing; lack of a formal system responsible for documentation of knowledge and experience in the organization; and fear from disciplinary actions as a barrier to experience documentation by individuals.