A Model of Knowledge Management Implementation at the University of Mazandaran

Knowledge Management discipline is still in its infancy in Iran, and thus, includes numerous unknown and unexplored issues. Although organizations, especially the University of Mazandaran which is the case study of this research, have gradually acknowledged the importance of Knowledge Management in their different units, it is still far from operationalization. Various units of Mazandaran University must consciously concern themselves with this issue and take preventive actions to take maximum advantage of this opportunity. The current study aimed to design and implement an optimal Knowledge Management plan. To this end, the researcher applied a mixed-method approach using meta-synthesis and Interpretive Structural Modeling techniques to assess the maturity of Knowledge Management and to design a model for optimizing its implementation at University of Mazandaran. Meta-synthesis results led to the identification of 98 sub-criteria (code), 14 criteria and three main dimensions in implementing Knowledge Management which were screened and localized by the researchers using Delphi technique and based on expert views and further employed to assess the maturity of knowledge management at Mazandaran University. The results of the analysis revealed that Knowledge Management was at an undesirable maturity level. The study offers a number of implications and suggestions to promote the maturity level of knowledge management at this university