Practices and Challenges of Knowledge Sharing at Ethiopian Management Institute

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of challenges and practices of knowledge sharing in Ethiopian Management Institute. Statement of the problem has been clearly set. Based on the problem statement, research questions and objectives have been identified. Further, based on the problem statement and research questions, critical literature has been reviewed. As indicated in the literature review, knowledge not capital is the key to sustained economic growth and improvements in human well-being. As a result, knowledge sharing is now increasingly viewed as an essential element for successful and effective development cooperation. Knowledge sharing is a process of communication between two or more participants involving the provision and acquisition of knowledge. Knowledge sharing is the process by which individuals exchange tacit and explicit knowledge in order to create new knowledge. The main benefits of effective knowledge sharing are enabling better and faster decision making; making it easy to find relevant information and resources, reusing ideas, documents, and expertise. In addition, avoiding redundant effort, avoiding making the same mistakes twice; taking advantage of existing expertise and experience, promoting standard, repeatable processes and procedure. Moreover, providing methods, tools, templates, techniques, and example; making scarce expertise widely available as well as showing customers how knowledge is used for their benefit, etc. The necessary conditions for knowledge sharing are system and process, leadership, organizational culture and technology. Based on the findings arrived upon in this work, there is an understanding gap among the leadership as well as within each directorate and among consultants regarding what the concepts of knowledge management (KM) and knowledge sharing (KS) mean. In addition, systems and processes which are critical to the successful implementation of a system are not in place. Work culture and environmental problems are also major challenges for knowledge sharing in the institute. Moreover there is a gap in the proper usage of technology in the process of knowledge sharing. In general it can be concluded that knowledge sharing at the institute has not received the attention it needs and much has to be done to bring the culture needed at the institute. Based on the identified gap, appropriate recommendations are suggested.