Managing knowledge management: identifying and evaluating enablers and hinders from the perspective of practicing managers from tourism sector in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The fundamental requirement of managing Knowledge Management (KM) successfully is to recognise the knowledge assets and manage it in the circumstance of overall organizational performance. The effective KM process influenced by knowledge-enablers and hindering factors. Hence, this study focuses to analyze the enablers and hinders that impact on KM practices and implementation in tourism sector in Sri Lanka. A total of 25 enablers and 20 hindering factors that could impact on KM implementation and practices have been identified based on a review of the related literature, and discussions with experts in the tourism filed. Random sampling method was employed and questionnaire survey carried out. 243 usable responses were received and results of statistical analysis of the responses revealed that the organisational infrastructure, management leadership and support, organisational culture, motivational aids, team building and knowledge variety, and use of internet and information technology have been identified as the most important enabler rank respectively for KM in tourism sector in Sri Lanka. Meantime, employee turnover, knowledge loses, failure to identify the variables of improving KM, use of inappropriate KM strategies, over focus on IT and pressure for conformity were the most important hindering factors rank respectively for KM in tourism sector in Sri Lanka.