Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Amir Abbas Mohebbian ¹
• Mansour Esmaeilpour ²
• Behrooz Bayat ³
• Mehrdad Mohammadzadealamdari ⁴
• Alireza Esfandiarymoghadam ⁵

¹ Ph.D. Candidate in Information Technology Management, Department of Management, Ha.C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

² Associate Professor Computer engineering Department, Ha.C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

³ Assistant Prof., Department of knowledge and information sciences, Ha.C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

⁴ Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran, Department of Management, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran

⁵ Professor, Department of knowledge and information sciences, Ha.C.,Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

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 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.

Keywords

• Blockchain
• Knowledge Management
• Structural Equation Modeling
• Knowledge-Based Organizations
• Knowledge Transparency

Main Subjects

• Information and Knowledge Management