Determining the main indicators, evaluating and ranking the efficiency of knowledge management performance by data envelopment analysis, case study: Iranian oil industry

The most important reason for identifying the main indicators and calculating the efficiency of knowledge management performance in the oil industry is to maintain and classify the existing knowledge and create a strong global competitive advantage by making progress in developing production methods with new technology based on improving technical knowledge. The most important parameter of performance evaluation is efficiency; there are different methods to measure it. Data envelopment analysis is a powerful tool for calculating system efficiency, including knowledge management performance in the oil industry. In this research, the main indicators of knowledge management were identified using library resources and practical publications. By surveying the employees of oil industry companies with data envelopment analysis and hierarchical analysis techniques, the efficiency of knowledge management performance was calculated, which can be used to rank the companies and planning to improve their knowledge management level. According to the results, the National Refining and Distribution of Petroleum Products Company has acted at higher level than other companies and has a good competitive advantage with its global competitors. The present study is the first study that has calculated the efficiency of knowledge management performance of four main Iranian oil industry companies with data envelopment analysis.