Knowledge Management
Reza Karimi; Rahil Karimian
Abstract
1. IntroductionKnowledge-based enterprises (KBEs) are heavily reliant on effective knowledge management processes to maintain their competitiveness and drive innovation. However, these companies face significant challenges in implementing and optimizing these processes. The main issue is the difficulty ...
Read More
1. IntroductionKnowledge-based enterprises (KBEs) are heavily reliant on effective knowledge management processes to maintain their competitiveness and drive innovation. However, these companies face significant challenges in implementing and optimizing these processes. The main issue is the difficulty in identifying and analyzing the factors that influence the success of knowledge management in these enterprises. Challenges in this context include the integration of new knowledge and technology for innovation in knowledge management, the need to align knowledge management strategies with the overall strategies of the organization to maximize benefits, and identifying and implementing key success factors such as organizational culture, human capital, managerial support, and information technology infrastructure. Additionally, effectively utilizing knowledge assets involves complex processes such as knowledge governance, establishing relationships, and protecting knowledge, as well as motivating and committing individuals to share and utilize knowledge. This research aims to provide a framework for identifying and analyzing the factors influencing the success of knowledge-based businesses, focusing on knowledge management processes.2. Literature ReviewSabri-Moghadam (2023) examined the impact of strategic alignment of knowledge management on the performance of knowledge-based businesses. A descriptive-survey method was utilized for this research. The study highlighted aspects such as knowledge storage and retention, knowledge creation and dissemination, knowledge application, motivation and rewards, leadership in knowledge-based environments, the presence of skilled personnel, government financial support for knowledge-based companies, and senior management commitment, as well as research and development.Sharafi (2022) focused on presenting a comprehensive model for human capital management with an emphasis on the marketing unit of knowledge-based businesses, employing a mixed-methods approach. The research pointed to factors such as strengthening organizational culture, benefiting from efficient managers, suitable technology, dynamic organizational structure, and the productivity of creative human resources.Rahimi (2021) identified and ranked the factors influencing the development of human resources in knowledge-driven businesses among knowledge-based business managers in Tehran. Using a descriptive-survey method, the study addressed factors such as competency development, performance management, and adherence to ethics, management training, and knowledge management.Oshamio and Olaz (2023) investigated the effects of environmental factors on knowledge management businesses. The research employed a survey method and highlighted factors including environmental infrastructure, knowledge strategy, a knowledge-oriented culture, success in knowledge-based groups, public awareness, cultural services of knowledge companies, human resource management, employee and management trust, inter-employee trust, infrastructure for utilizing new technologies, communication and information infrastructure, product development network structure, coordination mechanisms, and characteristics of the product development team.Nasr Isfahani and Rahbari (2022) focused on identifying the factors influencing the establishment of knowledge-based sports companies based on electronic knowledge using a grounded theory approach. The researchers identified factors such as knowledge, increasing the number of capable technical vendors, equipment, stable team members (maintaining and enhancing motivation, focus, etc.), internal team collaboration, high-spirited team members, skills, access to specialized academic personnel, government policy and governance, comprehensive planning to support knowledge-based companies, government financial support for knowledge-based companies, trust between employees and management, strong team management, formulating supportive government policies, entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge culture, success in knowledge-based groups, public awareness, cultural services of knowledge-based companies, access to technical infrastructure, high quality, communication and information infrastructure such as bandwidth, internet speed, and data centers, reductions in information and communication technology costs, and foundational services in the country, suitable infrastructure for utilizing new technologies such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, big data analytics, and mobile technologies, as well as the geographical focus of the industry.Alvarez Morales and Ramirez Herrera (2021) identified the success factors for knowledge-based businesses using a descriptive-survey method. They noted factors such as senior management support and commitment, policy-making and planning, collaboration between companies (organizations), monitoring and evaluation, organizational structure, organizational infrastructure, contractual and political constraints, goal setting and planning, knowledge sharing, knowledge learning, organizational goals, strategies, and visions, prevailing conditions in the organization, performance evaluation, progress, flexibility, and knowledge strategy.Ghorbani, Shayyan, and Khanzadeh (2020) proposed a model for establishing a comprehensive knowledge management system in knowledge-based organizations based on success factors. They developed a researcher-made questionnaire using a descriptive-survey method, addressing factors such as environmental infrastructure, system and evaluation, leadership and leadership support, organizational culture, knowledge sharing, learning culture, information technology, motivational incentives, human resource management, experienced advisory teams, knowledge strategies, and knowledge-related activities and processes.3. MethodologyThis research is quantitative in nature and is applied in purpose. The study utilized fuzzy Delphi and Marcus methods for data analysis. The research population consisted of experts in the fields of knowledge management, economics, and knowledge-based business. Sampling was conducted based on the expertise of specialists in knowledge management processes and factors influencing the success of knowledge-based enterprises, with 13 individuals selected as the sample. The criterion for selecting the sample size in this study was theoretical saturation. The data collection tools in this study included interviews and questionnaires (expert assessment questionnaire and Marcu’s method questionnaire). The expert assessment questionnaire was developed based on a review of the literature in the fields of knowledge management and knowledge-based businesses, as well as interviews conducted with experts, and it possesses content validity. Additionally, using the Lawshe content validity ratio and feedback from experts, the validity and content reliability of the research factors were confirmed. The second questionnaire pertains to the Marcus method, which is standardized and its validity is guaranteed. It should be noted that the input for these methods is the output filtered through the fuzzy Delphi method. To evaluate the research factors, six indices were utilized: human, environmental, organizational, cultural, technological, structures, and processes. Through a review of the literature and interviews with knowledge management experts, 43 factors were identified, which were narrowed down to 27 final components after the fuzzy Delphi filtering. The filtering of the extracted indices was carried out through the distribution of expert assessment questionnaires, and the fuzzy Delphi method was used for the screening of factors.4. ConclusionClear goal setting and planning not only determine the path and direction of businesses but also effectively create focus and motivation within teams. In fact, effective policy-making and governance contribute to defining the structures and processes necessary for knowledge management and enhance internal communications and interactions with stakeholders. Furthermore, a positive and supportive organizational culture fosters knowledge sharing and exchange, allowing team members to operate in a safe and creative environment. A culture of innovation and creativity also stimulates new ideas and creates a conducive space for experimentation and learning from mistakes. Ultimately, the synergy among these factors leads to the establishment of a knowledge-based ecosystem where innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning are at the core of activities.
Intelligent Systems Recovery
Jalal Rezaeenour; Rahele Karimian
Abstract
IntroductionWith the tremendous growth of the Internet from the 1990s to the present, a variety of innovative technologies have emerged that enable users to interact virtually. Metaverse is one of the technologies that has attracted attention. In fact, it is a new technology brought about by augmented ...
Read More
IntroductionWith the tremendous growth of the Internet from the 1990s to the present, a variety of innovative technologies have emerged that enable users to interact virtually. Metaverse is one of the technologies that has attracted attention. In fact, it is a new technology brought about by augmented and virtual reality, which integrates new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and virtual reality. In Metaverse, users are able to communicate with each other in virtual space instead of physical communication. Therefore, the aim of the current research is to identify the development barriers of Metaverse in digital libraries.Research Question(s)What are the causal conditions for identifying metaverse development obstacles in digital libraries?What are the background conditions affecting the identification of metaverse development obstacles in digital libraries?What are the intervening conditions in identifying the development obstacles of metaverse in digital libraries?What are the strategies to identify the development obstacles of metaverse in digital libraries?What are the consequences of identifying the development barriers of metaverse in digital libraries?Literature ReviewMetaverse is a combination of two words, Meta+ Universe. Each of these two words has different meanings. The word meta is derived from the Greek root "beyond" and verse is derived from the word "universe" meaning "world". As a result, the word metaverse means a world beyond the real world. Metaverse is a virtual world where users can experience all the activities they have in the real world in the virtual world. Many experts in this field believe that the further development of Metaverse will not affect the daily lives of companies and people, but its impact on culture and society, in general, is undeniable (Yufu. et.al, 2023؛ Mohammad Hasan, 2023(. Since 1999, the growth of information technology has transformed the future of information systems (Arshad, Ameen, 2019). Hence, information technology increases the speed of operations and reduces costs and ultimately has made a major difference in how libraries do things (Thimm, 2017). As organizations that store and retrieve information, libraries are voluntarily or involuntarily influenced by new technologies. In recent years, smart libraries have been created with the growth of technology from terms such as digital, virtual, and electronic libraries (Gul and Bano, 2019). One of the types of libraries that can be imagined in the field of virtual reality or metaverse is digital libraries. It is a new type of traditional library in which time and place do not matter and users who have the necessary information are given the opportunity to find the resources they need in any situation (Rahmani, 2022(.MethodologyThe current research is qualitative in terms of purpose and implementation method. The approach considered in the present research is based on the basic theory, which is a method utilized in qualitative research according to inductive methods. For this purpose, it starts with sampling, data collection, and at the same time coding and data analysis. Data analysis is done based on open-source, central, and selective sources, which will continue until theoretical saturation. In the present study, the steps of work are as follows. First, sampling was done from among the research population, followed by formulating interview questions, collecting information, coding and analyzing data, open coding, and selective focus, and the conceptual model was formulated based on answers to the research questions. In the present study, the statistical population included 10 university specialists who were selected by purposive sampling. The sample size was calculated based on the theoretical saturation principle. In fact, the researchers did not identify any barriers to the interview after holding the interview, so two other interviews were held. The inclusion criteria of selected specialists were membership in educational and academic institutions, fields of study being related to digital libraries and Metaverse (information science and epistemology, computer, architecture), having books and articles related to the current research field, and interest in participating in interviews. Due to the closure of educational and academic institutions in the summer, most of the interviews were held by phone. The research tool was semi-structured interviews in the field of developing Metaverse libraries in digital domains. Open, central and selective coding method based on grounded theory was used to analyze the data. "user understanding", "heady library", "economic status", "technology literacy level", "cultures and values", "background and experience", "user needs". Intervening conditions include "limited resources", "high speed of change", "uncertainty in the future of the Metaverse", "human factors". Strategies include "education and awareness", "collaboration with technology companies", "development of technology infrastructure", and "research and development" and messages include "access to information", "non-compliance with standards", "security and privacy risks", "non-acceptance by users".ResultsThe findings of the research show that there are 53 central themes in the form of causal conditions as follows. "Existence of a problem or issues involved", "individual factors", "organizational, managerial", "technology", "political", "social", "institutional"; terms of the fields include "technology development", "user understanding", "heady library", "economic status", "technology literacy level", "cultures and values", "background and experience", "user needs". Intervening conditions include "limited resources", "high speed of change", "uncertainty in the future of the Metaverse", and "human factors". Strategies include "education and awareness", "collaboration with technology companies", "development of technology infrastructure", "research and development" and messages include "access to information", "non-compliance with standards", "security and privacy risks", and "non-acceptance by users".DiscussionIn explaining the result, it can be said that according to the codes extracted from the interviews, the causal conditions involve individual, organizational, managerial, political, institutional, social and other factors that create a barrier in the formation of Metaverse in digital libraries. In addition to the causal conditions, intervening and contextual factors were also considered and investigated. In the intervening factors, those factors such as limited resources, high speed of technological change, uncertainty in the future of Metaverse, and human factors were identified. Moreover, contextual factors including users' understanding, economic status, technology literacy level, cultures and values, background and experience, and users' needs were identified. Therefore, according to the abovementioned obstacles, the strategies of education and awareness, cooperation with technology companies, development of technology infrastructure, and finally research and development were extracted. The strategies show both positive and negative reactions of the emerging Metaverse phenomenon on digital libraries. Finally, the consequences of Metaverse in digital libraries include lack of access to Metaverse and its development, reducing access to information, non-compliance with standards, security and privacy risks, non-acceptance by users, which result from strategies.ConclusionBased on the results, it can be said that there are various obstacles in the development of Metaverse. When these obstacles are identified and the necessary solutions are provided to solve them, it can be said that libraries will have new opportunities to provide services to their users with the development of Metaverse. By thinking creatively about how to use this technology, libraries can become valuable educational and social platforms.
