Information and Knowledge Management
Amir Abbas Mohebbian; Mansour Esmaeilpour; Behrooz Bayat; Mehrdad Mohammadzadealamdari; Alireza Esfandiarymoghadam
Abstract
This study aims to design and validate a model for implementing blockchain technology in organizational knowledge management and to examine the technological, organizational, and human factors influencing it. A mixed-methods, applied approach was adopted. In the qualitative phase, data were collected ...
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This study aims to design and validate a model for implementing blockchain technology in organizational knowledge management and to examine the technological, organizational, and human factors influencing it. A mixed-methods, applied approach was adopted. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in technology and knowledge management and analyzed using NVivo 12 and thematic analysis at three levels: basic, organizing, and global themes. The qualitative findings informed the initial conceptual model. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-developed questionnaire was administered to 425 employees from Jihad Daneshgahi, the General Directorate of IT in Hamedan Province, and five knowledge-based companies. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and SmartPLS 4 through variance-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results showed that the path from antecedents to blockchain applications (β=0.784) and from applications to knowledge outcomes (β=0.665) was significant at the 99% confidence level. Model fit indices (SRMR=0.061, NFI=0.91, GOF=0.57) were acceptable, and the R² values for “applications” and “outcomes” were 0.615 and 0.442, respectively. Findings indicate that technological infrastructure, organizational support, legal frameworks, and technological readiness are critical prerequisites, while successful blockchain implementation enhances transparency, trust, organizational memory, and knowledge-based decision-making. This research provides practical insights for managers and policymakers seeking to implement blockchain-based knowledge management systems.
Knowledge Management
Amir Abbas Mohebbian; Mansour Esmaeilpour; Behrooz Bayat; Mehrdad Mohammadzadeh Alamdary; Alireza Isfandyari Moghaddam
Abstract
1. IntroductionIn today’s world, knowledge management has become a critical aspect for organizations due to factors such as globalization, rapid technological advancement, and the need to share best practices. Knowledge management is a process through which organizations interact with their environment, ...
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1. IntroductionIn today’s world, knowledge management has become a critical aspect for organizations due to factors such as globalization, rapid technological advancement, and the need to share best practices. Knowledge management is a process through which organizations interact with their environment, absorb information, convert it into knowledge, and utilize it for decision-making, innovation, and gaining a competitive advantage. Scientific and research institutions, with knowledge at their core, must play an active role in developing and applying knowledge management systems. In this context, information technology plays a significant role in facilitating knowledge management processes.One emerging technology that addresses the challenges of traditional knowledge management is blockchain. With features such as transparency, high security, immutability of data, and reliable knowledge sharing, blockchain can be instrumental in transferring, storing, protecting, and utilizing knowledge. This technology is particularly valuable in preserving intellectual property and ensuring secure knowledge sharing among researchers.The present study aims to evaluate the current state of knowledge management implementation within the Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) and propose a blockchain-based model for its deployment. Accordingly, five main questions are raised regarding the status of information technology, organizational structure, human resources, organizational culture, and the potential for blockchain-based knowledge management in ACECR.This research seeks to develop a practical blockchain-based framework to enhance the transparency, security, and protection of intellectual property, as well as to improve the processes of collecting, storing, sharing, safeguarding, and applying knowledge. The novelty of this study lies in presenting a process-oriented solution using blockchain technology for knowledge management implementation, which can also be adapted by similar knowledge-based organizations. Research Question(s)What is the status of information technology in ACECR for the implementation of knowledge management?What is the status of the organizational structure in ACECR for the implementation of knowledge management?What is the status of human resources in ACECR for the implementation of knowledge management?What is the status of organizational culture in ACECR for the implementation of knowledge management?2. Literature Reviewa) Conceptual Framework of Knowledge Management in Knowledge-Based CentersDue to its complexity in creation, dissemination, and institutionalization, knowledge has attracted significant attention both in academic literature and management fields (Maponya, 2019). While knowledge management and organizational learning have long been important in industry, their application in knowledge-based organizations has received limited focus (Piccoli & Ahmed, 2018, p. 229). The Gartner Group introduced a multi-layered knowledge management architecture. At the base level, intranets and extranets—including network service stations—are used to deliver knowledge management applications. The next level includes data stations and groupware applications, categorized under knowledge retrieval, which consists of cognitive (intellectual) and physical (operational) knowledge operations. The Gupta, Sharma, and Hsu model, designed based on the web, includes three layers (knowledge presentation, knowledge management, and data sources) and emphasizes the operational overlap of system components. It supports access to internal and external information resources, tools for acquiring, refining, classifying, storing, retrieving, publishing, and presenting knowledge, and roles such as knowledge facilitators, stewards, and engineers. The model uses a web-based interface at the top application level and emphasizes knowledge retrieval as a key addition to IT infrastructure and the core of knowledge architecture.The Organizational Capability Model highlights the need to identify and evaluate capabilities—both knowledge infrastructure (culture, structure, technology) and knowledge processes (acquisition, transformation, application, and protection)—to ensure success in scientific activities. Some researchers argue that tacit and incidental knowledge is representational (Kim et al., 2018, p. 80), while others believe it is hard to codify and transfer (Nonaka, 2010). Heit (2013) emphasized that one of the main goals of knowledge management is to collect and share tacit knowledge within the organization. The review goes under these subheadings.b) Blockchain TechnologyBlockchain was first introduced by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 as a means to combine cryptography with a distributed ledger in digital currency (Zhou, Chen & Kou, 2019). A simple way to understand blockchain is as a ledger or database where past records cannot be altered—only new entries can be added (Oliveira Luján, 2019). Blockchain stores committed transactions in a chain of blocks (Zheng, Xie, Chen & Wang, 2018), which are distributed across network nodes (Nofer, Gomber, Hinz & Schiereck, 2020). Unlike centralized databases, it is decentralized and distributed across all connected computers (Önder & Treiblmaier, 2018).Key features of blockchain include:Consensus Mechanism: Each transaction is independently validated by participants (Liable et al., 2019), preventing fraud.Decentralization: Avoids central servers and promotes transparency (Beck, Lollike & Malone, 2020).Immutability: Cryptographic hashing ensures the chain cannot be altered (Iansiti & Lakhani, 2020).Peer-to-Peer Network: Direct transactions between sender and receiver without intermediaries (Chilukuri & Atili, 2021).Distributed Open Ledger: Shared access to a single source of truth for all parties (Chilukuri & Atili, 2021).Though Bitcoin is the most well-known blockchain application, the technology now extends far beyond digital currencies—into finance, healthcare, supply chains, smart energy, copyright protection, education, e-governance, voting, agriculture, real estate, and waste management (Akram & Malik, 2020). Academics have studied blockchain’s infrastructure, such as distributed storage, P2P networks, cryptography, smart contracts, and consensus algorithms (Kraft, 2016, p. 397).Blockchain enables users to add and track records in a secure, tamper-proof environment (Savelyev, 2019). Hacking blockchain requires breaking into numerous encrypted systems across the network, making it nearly impossible (Iansiti & Lakhani, 2020). Smart contracts, one of its core features, are self-executing programs that run when predefined conditions are met—without interference from third parties (Oh & Shong, 2018, p. 335; Li et al., 2018, p. 78).Despite being relatively new in the field of knowledge management, blockchain is considered one of the most transformative innovations after the internet (Li, Zhang & Dang, 2021).3. MethodologyStatistical Population, Sample, and Sampling Method:The statistical population of this study consisted of all members of the Academic Jihad organization (7,200 individuals). Using Morgan’s table, the sample size was determined to be 367 participants, who were selected through stratified random sampling.Research Instrument:The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the Likert scale (ranging from 1 to 6). The questionnaire included 47 items designed to assess the current state of organizational elements of knowledge management, including organizational culture, information technology, organizational structure, and human resources. To validate the questionnaire, content validity was evaluated. The reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which resulted in a coefficient of 0.956.Data Analysis Method:The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, and variance) and inferential statistics, including one-sample t-test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).4. DiscussionThis research aimed to evaluate the readiness of Jahad Daneshgahi (Academic Jihad) for implementing a knowledge management (KM) system using blockchain technology. The results revealed that among the four key organizational components—human resources, organizational structure, organizational culture, and information technology only human resources demonstrated a favorable status for KM implementation. The remaining components were assessed to be at a moderate level, indicating a need for organizational enhancement in terms of infrastructure, structure, and culture to support a successful KM deployment.Following this assessment, the study proposed a structured model for implementing knowledge management based on blockchain. This model includes critical features such as knowledge registration, rating systems, categorization, ordering mechanisms, rewards, reporting tools, Q&A systems, and evaluation modules. By utilizing blockchain, the model ensures secure, immutable, and decentralized storage and sharing of knowledge, addressing many challenges associated with traditional KM approaches.The advantages of using blockchain in KM, as highlighted in the study, include the protection of intellectual property, prevention of redundant efforts, faster access to validated knowledge, and enhanced transparency across the organization. The distributed nature of blockchain also helps prevent data manipulation and fosters a trusted environment for knowledge sharing.Despite its potential, several challenges to implementing blockchain-based KM systems remain. These include a lack of universal standards, incompatibility with existing IT infrastructure, funding limitations, and the need for organizational change management, especially in training and cultural alignment. Nevertheless, a pilot implementation in specialized research centers affiliated with Jahad Daneshgahi—such as the Royan Institute or the National Genetic and Biological Resource Center—could help validate the proposed model and guide broader adoption.In summary, this study is among the first to jointly examine the state of knowledge management in a scientific organization and propose a blockchain-based implementation plan tailored to local organizational conditions. The findings suggest that such an approach is not only feasible but also beneficial in addressing long-standing issues of knowledge retention, verification, and sharing. The model is adaptable and may serve as a reference for other knowledge-based organizations seeking to modernize their KM systems through emerging technologies like blockchain.
