Exploring the Perceptions of Knowledge Management and Knowledge ManagementSystems: A Case Study on the Libyan Oil Industry

摘要

The aim of this research is to investigate theimportance of Knowledge Management (KM) and KnowledgeManagement Systems (KMS) in the oil and gas industry ofLibya. It explores their purposes, significance, activities,functions and barriers. The aim is to obtain and share theefficient and effective management strategies, policies andmethods in order to support local partners. Data for the study were collected via two main methods:questionnaires and interviews (unstructured interviews). Twotypes of questionnaire were prepared for the study. The firsttype was specifically designed for the Libyan nationals, whilethe second was for the foreign personnel in the companies ofthe oil and gas industry of Libya. Each type of questionnairewas designed to seek different types of information.Unstructured interviews were also conducted with variousindividuals where more qualitative information was obtained. The research findings revealed that knowledge management isimportant because the collective knowledge creates power toenhance innovation and responsiveness, and it strengthensorganisational performance. In addition, knowledgemanagement involves many activities, whereby sharing, themost valuable practice, remained the most important activityin knowledge management in the companies surveyed, followedby conducting training programmes. Furthermore, it wasfound that the knowledge management systems in the surveyedcompanies were accessible to local individuals and that themain function of a knowledge management system, asindicated by the local participants, was to concentrate oncreating, gathering as well as organising, their company'sknowledge.