Description and analysis of organizational knowledge network at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

The main purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the organizational knowledge network at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. A Social Network Analysis was used to describe structure and status of actors. The sample size was 147 individuals employed in “Educational and Graduate”, “Research and Technology” and “Programing and Planning” deputies of Ferdowsi University. At this stage, based on the indicators of centrality in the network, the status of actors was obtained and key actors were identified. In order to investigate the facilitators and inhibitors factors of the knowledge flow, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 central actors in the network. Based on the findings of the study, relationship arrangement graph of actors was drawn and actor's status was obtained based on centralization indices in organizational knowledge network of Ferdowsi University. Findings showed that the most important factors facilitating the knowledge flow in organizational knowledge network were: individual characteristics, empowerment, management commitment, opportunity creation, job rotation, informal relationships, teamwork, encouragement and nature of the job. Moreover, the most important factors inhibiting the knowledge flow in organizational knowledge were: understanding the knowledge management, culture and organizational climate, performance measurement, knowledge acquisition, knowledge as a competitive advantage, job security, structural weakness, political behavior, motivation and livelihood issues.