Seventeenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge, and Society

Abstract

In this paper, we present our proposal for an exploratory research study. The goal of the research is to deepen the understanding of the effects and ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis on knowledge management (KM) in knowledge-intensive organizations. To this end, we formulated a quantitative questionnaire, based on the testimonies from 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews with KM professionals. The questionnaire aims to examine if the pandemic crisis had an effect on organizational KM, whether positive or negative. We propose to expand the research to a correlation study, as part of a quantitative-positivistic paradigm. Dependent variables (relating to various aspects of KM) and independent variables (such as, demographic data, organizational affiliation and work place – office/home/hybrid) will serve as the basis for the scrutiny of cause and affect relationships. We plan to distribute the questionnaire among managers and employees in large corporations in the public sector. In this aspect, the public sector will serve as a case study for knowledge-intensive organizations. The data will then be analyzed using acceptable statistical models. To the best of our knowledge, no such study has yet been conducted. We anticipate that we will be able to offer practical suggestions relating to the improvement of work processes, especially in times of crisis. Moreover, we hope the results will help increase awareness among managers and employees, as to the two facets of organizational KM; opportunities for growth and improvement as an outcome of optimal KM, and the acute dangers of non-existent or substandard KM.