Background of the research problem

Knowledge management is described as

the ability of an organization or company to use collective knowledge

and problem-solving processes, to create and share amongst workmates,

and their relations to the customers, in order to increase productivity

at the workplace. Organizations are finding it increasingly important

to have proper processes and structures for knowledge management and

problem-solving skills in amongst its members to remain competitive in

the market. Knowledge management is one of the pillars of globalization

in organizations in the 21st century since it incorporates

problem-solving, decision making, organizational performance

enhancements and innovation. Organizations, therefore, need to adopt

the best processes and structures that suit each company to ensure that

they draw full potential of their workers thereby fully utilizing the

full knowledge that they possess. Problem-solving and knowledge

management processes ensure that organizations’ can be able to adopt

the best practices for their organizations to achieve maximum usage in

order to influence organizational performance positively. The research

focuses on the best processes and practices to ensure that the

organizations have a competitive edge especially with the changes in

technology and expansive global economy. A research on problem solving

and knowledge management practices in a company helps in enhancing

maturity, dynamism and self-growth attributes to ensure the

organization’s growth and competitiveness.

Problem-solving and

knowledge management is important to organizations since majority face

problems in managing the two aspects that are crucial to an

organization’s growth and competitiveness in the larger global market.

The research paper focuses on the problems that the organization may

face due to implementing the wrong practices and processes for

knowledge management and problem-solving techniques in the group. The

research paper aims to identify some of the mistakes in the

implementation of the management practices in an organization and also

give the best practices and processes that a company should implement

to ensure there is proper knowledge management programs. One of the

problems is the consistent failure to align problem-solving and

knowledge management practices with the organization’s strategic

objectives. In order for an organization to get the best out of their

employees and other programs in the company, they should align the

management and problem solving programs with the strategic objectives

that the company aims to implement in order to achieve their targets

and goals. Organizations also create repositories without sufficiently

addressing the need to manage content in the organization. It is

important for an organization to ensure that they have implemented the

necessary repositories and align them with their requirements and

capability of the organization to ensure efficiency and productivity.

In addition, there is a problem in understanding and connecting

knowledge management to every employee’s daily working activities.

Problem-solving and knowledge management aids in ensuring that the

problem is well-addressed if the management team of the organization

considers Knowledge management practices to improve on employee

productivity. The research paper also looks at the problem of

companies only addressing the problem of knowledge management and

implementing it within the organization’s boundaries. There is also the

problem of overemphasizing on formal learning techniques as the main

method of acquiring and sharing knowledge within the company. It is

paramount that the company assesses its knowledge management and

problem solving techniques ass the main methods to alleviate these

problems while at the same time improving on its scope and

expansiveness to other regions in the global market. A competitive edge

is only gained if an organization adapts the best knowledge management

techniques that are essential to improving on the productivity to

satisfy a large market in the global market.

The research paper aims

to look at organizational structure and its implementation of knowledge

management and problem solving techniques and processes in

organizational operations. The paper, therefore, looks at

organizational culture that gives one a clear indication of the

knowledge management and problems solving practices adopted by the

organization. In this regard, the company looks at the interpersonal

trust in the company between the employees. This is important in

assessing interaction and willingness of one person to freely work with

their colleagues at the workplace. There is also an examination of

group trust within the organization between the employees. Under this

the research paper looks at the interaction of an individual to a group

and the willingness of an individual to abide by the decisions of the

group. There is also an analysis of organizational trust that exists

amongst the employees of the company. It is an examination of the level

of confidence that an employee has on his/her employer that in essence

looks at the determination and belief of the employer to the corporate

goal and faith in organizational culture. The final aspect that is

examined is the institutional trust in the organizational. Under this

concept looks at the belief and faith of the employee in the

institutions that include; laws and policies that are aimed at

protecting the employees. This highlights the context within which the

research paper is written and analysed to properly examine the research

problem of the research paper. The paper looks at how the

organizational structures have been used and coordinate with all

departments of the organization to enhance that there is connection

between individual performance and business goals through knowledge

management and problem solving skills in the organization.

Research

problem: The need to adopt proper knowledge management and problem

solving practices in the 21st century to improve global trending and

gain a competitive edge in the market.

Proper knowledge management and

problem solving systems are equivocal to all organizations that aim to

venture into the global market and have a competitive edge in the broad

market. The two attributes are very important to an organization since

they create a high level of coordination and productivity among the

employees thereby ensuring that the organization matches up with its

competitors and a growing market. Adopting the right methods is

imperative and essential to the organization and every company should

ensure that it adopts practices that match its strengths and strategic

planning to ensure that the two align to each other to enhance

productivity. The problem is ensuring that there is adoption of the

most practical and best practices through assessing the methods by

organization and what the employees regard as the best and readily

adaptable processes and structures.

3.3 Statement of the Research

Problem, the Research Aim and Its Objectives

?   The research aims to

solve the problem of adopting the wrong knowledge management and

problem solving processes in an organization and the problems that

arise as a result of adoption of wrong methods.

?   Aims and purpose

of the research

?   To ensure that there is a direct link between

knowledge management and problem solving techniques with the

organization business strategies ensuring that there are measures in

place to evaluate the success and contribution of each in the

organizational development.

?   To ensure that the organization

employees fulfil their individual missions that reaches the corporate

objectives, goals and strategies of the organization.

?   Identifying

the most important and valuable knowledge for the company and building

on it to make the company grow and fully operational in the global

market.

?   To ensure that there is proper management of business

processes and operations using problem solving and knowledge management

techniques.

?   To incorporate the knowledge management process as a

tool to support innovation and encourage free flow of information and

ideas in the company.

?   Ensure that there is an ability to acquire,

assimilate, transform and use knowledge in a company to enhance its

growth.

Objective of the study

The objective of the research is to

ensure proper structures and processes for an organization to ensure it

implements, the best problem solving and knowledge management practices

within the organization to ensure growth and competitiveness in the

larger global market.

3.4 Research Questions

In an effort to conduct a

comprehensive and informed research of the research problem, the

following questions were drafted to make the research conducted

conclusive.

• Are the problem solving and knowledge management

practices adopted by the organization linked to the organization’s

business strategy?

• Are there measurements and evaluation processes

to measure the success and contribution of the business strategies and

contribution of each in this regard?

• Is there a working

management plan to ensure that the company has the best structures and

materials relevant in accessing required information?

• To what

extent has the organization allocated required resources to achieve

specific goals and requirements by the organization?

• Is there a

mentoring program in place for the employees in the company to appraise

their knowledge and problem solving skills? Are they sufficiently used

by the employees? And if not what is the reason why?

• Do the

employees understand all the existing networks within the organization?

What more should the organization do to ensure that they do?

• What

mechanisms and strategies has the company adopted to ensure that there

is successful alliance between the organization and the suppliers and

customers? What more can be done to ensure that more information is

disseminated?

• Do the employees in the organization believe in the

corporate goals and targets and have faith in the direction of the

company? What more can be done by the organization to ensure that they

do?

3.5 Research Design and Methodology

The research will be conducted

using quantitative techniques in a bid to test the hypothesis and

examine the research problem by comparing different sets of data. Due

to the research assessing the problem-solving techniques and knowledge

management it is important to use a quantitative method to evaluate and

compare between different sets of data and their implementation of the

two techniques in an organization. The research will be conducted by

examining the different information and assessments as given by the

employees. It is hard to conduct a qualitative technique when comparing

between two almost similar sets of data and measure the difference

between the implementation of the knowledge management and problem

solving techniques in different organizations. However, for comparison

reasons using quantitative method one can collect data on two different

organizations and compare the different assertions and reasons given by

the different set of respondents from the selected sample. The research

aims to show the hypothesis that if an organization implements proper

knowledge management and problem solving tools the organization should

succeed in the global market and have satisfied and knowledgeable

employees in the organization. The research should therefore be

conducted in different organizations in order to compare between or

amongst the organization and the adapted structures and processes.

 

Quantitative research is defined as a method that is used for

explaining a given phenomenon, research problem, or hypothesis through

collecting numerical data that is analysed using mathematically based

methods. In order to make an informed judgment and while testing the

hypothesis it is important for the research to be conducted using

quantitative methods to test these properties about the organizations.

In addition quantitative methods are known to best suited when one aims

to collect numerical data in order to explain a particular phenomenon.

While conducting a research on the difference between organizations

quantitative data should be collected then evaluated and analysed to

make judgments and conclusive statements through deductive reasoning.

Quantitative data is also useful since data that is naturally not

numerical can be collected in a quantitative way. The research to be

conducted is about knowledge management and problem solving techniques

that may both seem hard to measure quantitatively. However, after

collecting the data, for instance, through questionnaires this can

later be grouped and calculated quantitatively and can later be

analysed statistically using analytical tools and measures. In the case

of the aforementioned research problem this is particularly crucial and

applicable to the given case as it helps in the analysis and hypothesis

testing of the different organizations. Although the analysis of data

through the statistical tools may be seen by most as being too

mathematical and hard to conduct the required analysis it is the best

method for making an informed analysis and judgment by the analyst and

for the aforementioned research it is tenable and relevant.

Quantitative techniques are necessary in testing and analysing the

methods used by two different companies and their performance in the

market as a result. In order for one to show the difference between the

implementation techniques and the performance of the two companies in

the market as a result quantitative techniques are critical. In a bid

to analyse different companies and show the importance of employing

proper knowledge management and problem solving techniques, the

quantitative methods act as the best method for evaluating and

analysing the different companies. The techniques employed in

quantitative methods especially the statistical analysis is equivocally

essential and important in comparing and making a conclusive judgment

of the two parts in an organization’s growth in the market.

Given the

nature and purpose of the research a quantitative approach is the most

feasible method that the organization should use to draw the best

results for the research. The method captures all the details and

informational aspects that are necessary for the analysis of benefits

of proper implementation of knowledge management and problem solving

techniques in a given organization.

In conducting a quantitative

research one needs to first identify the study population for the

research that should consist of the people or group that will help in

collecting the best form of data for the research. In the case of this

research the study population should be globally competitive

organizations and their employees in particular. The employees have all

the information necessary in making a deductive judgment and getting

the necessary data for the research. The employees of the organizations

being compared should comprise the bigger part of the study population.

However, gaining records of the organizations and their performances in

the global market is also important since it acts as the basis for

comparison between the implemented structures and processes in the two

organizations. The research should therefore identify the global

organizations to undertake the research and their employees who should

act as the study population for the specific research.

The employees

of the companies being researched should act as the sample for the

research. A sample should be systematically and well-studied in order

to capture all the elements and data necessary to conduct a good

research without leaving out necessary details about the organization.

While conducting this research, the sample should contain employees

from all levels of management in the particular organization to obtain

all the necessary data. The researcher should ensure that they give the

same attention to the management as given to the other members of

workers in the company. However, the questions in the questionnaire

that the heads of departments are asked should additionally inquire

about the measures the department has put in place to ensure that there

are good problem-solving and knowledge management techniques in the

department. The employees should be randomly selected for uniformity

purposes and in order to eliminate bias while conducting the research.

The methods of collecting data should be selected depending on their

ability to give a comprehensive data set for easier analysis. The

methods should also aim give the necessary information for making the

aforementioned hypothesis. Questionnaires are one of the methods that

should be used in data gathering. This entails giving well-drafted

questionnaires to the selected sample population and making informed

analysis of the response given in the questionnaires. The

questionnaires should be structured in a way that they give the

employees choices that are either open ended or close-ended depending

on the specific question and the response required. The data collected

from the questionnaires is later compiled and grouped to make

quantitative data that is used in the analysis and hypothesis testing.

Interviews are also another method that can be used especially for the

heads of department and management. Since this group of people does not

consist many members conducting interviews on each of the top

management and heads of departments to draw important information about

the organization and its implementation structures and processes.

Obtaining the secondary data necessary for making a comparison with the

primary data obtained is also important in order to make an analysis of

the data set.

In analysing the data between the different

organizations identified, the statistical methods should be applied to

draw a conclusive argument and make an informed and scientific analysis

of the data collected. Statistical analysis of the data is the best to

get the difference in two or more sets of data that appear similar but

differ when analysed differently under statistical methods. After

making an inference and through deductive reasoning of the data as

analysed statistically for the two companies one analyses the

difference between the two organizations.

There are ethical

considerations that a researcher needs to consider before embarking in

any form of research especially one that involves sensitive information

about competing organizations. One should maintain a high level of

confidentiality and should not release confidential information about

an organization. Most organizations usually ensure that one signs a

confidentiality contract before conducting any form of research in the

organization. It is meant to ensure that in case one breaches the

contract they can be sued for damages by the company. Getting consent

to conduct the research on a given organization is also very critical

under the ethical considerations a researcher should consider.

Following the set guidelines by the organizations that are open to the

research is also important to ensure that there is no conflict between

the researcher and the organization that can make the research

difficult to conduct. Availing a copy of the research conducted and its

contents to the organization for review is also important in ensuring

one sticks to the disclosure clause set by the organization.

 

 

3.0

Significance and Rationale of the Study

The research will not give a

breakdown of the processes and structures that should be adopted by

companies, but only give the working knowledge management and problem

solving techniques that are working in a company in relation to

another. The research will also not look at the competition that the

organization face in the market but will only look at the companies

that the research is conducted on. There are also contributing factors

to a company being successful on the global market in the 21st century,

but the research will not examine these factors and will attribute all

the success of either company in comparison to the other on good

knowledge management and problem solving skills. The research will be

limited by the information that the organization will allow to be

disclosed by the organization and the scope of the research into the

company.

The research is important for organizations to understand the

deficient sector in their knowledge management and problem solving

structures in the current generation and current trends in the global

market. Conducting this study is aimed at enlightening the

organizations and especially members of the management on the best

tools to ensure that they have reached the potential use of the

information and employees in their companies. Productivity of the

employees is hinged on employing the best tools to ensure that they

reach their true potential and capacity while conducting their

individual work. The research is also essential in a company mapping

its performance levels in the global markets in comparison to that of

the competitors in relation to knowledge management and problem solving

properties. The research reveals the gap that exists between companies

and reveals the relationship that exists between the gaps and the

knowledge management and problem solving tools implemented by the

organizations. This act as an eye opener for the companies that are in

the same market as the companies researched and make them re-evaluate

and come up with better practices to remain competitive in the global

market. Although the research is more structured for global markets the

same case applies for other companies that have a host of employees and

aim to increase the utilization of their potential. Adoption of the

best practices in knowledge management and problem solving techniques

is attributable to increased productivity that in turn is directly

related to increased sales and profits. The research is, therefore, in

the best interest of every organization in order to improve its

capacity and as a result make more profits.

3.7 Theoretical Framework

and Brief Literature Review

The research conceptual framework is that

the organizational culture and practices influences knowledge

management and problem solving techniques of a company that in turn

affects it competitiveness in the global market. The research aims to

illustrate the difference in organizational culture and its influence

on implementation of knowledge management and problem solving

techniques implemented by an organization. The framework will help in

investigating the problem as a result of applying the wrong techniques

and processes and give evidence to the hypothesis that if an

organization adapts proper techniques it should do well in the global

market. The theory is built on the principle that the organizational

culture has a huge impact on knowledge sharing and problem solving

within an organization (Ackerman et al, 2003). The theory further

asserts that trust is the main component of knowledge management and

problem solving techniques as there needs to be mutual understanding

and trust among members of the organization to ensure that they are

productive and gives their full potential (Fernandez and Leidner,

2008). Trust has however been divided into: interpersonal trust, group

trust, organizational trust and institutional trust by the employees in

the company and amongst themselves while working together. In trying to

examine knowledge management and problem solving techniques these are

the testable and easily adaptable questions that a researcher may

formulate for the questionnaire to evaluate the difference between

organizations.

The theory has been previously tested and proven with

its proponents asserting that organizational culture and knowledge

management are inter-related and work in unison and therefore,

organizational culture should be considered while measuring knowledge

management (Leomans, 2002). The theory further asserts that trust is

overly important to knowledge sharing culture and problem solving

within an organization as it instils belief and faith in the

organization, institutions and amongst the employees. Interpersonal

trust has been described as the willingness of an individual to

increase vulnerability to the actions of another person within an

organization. Group trust on the other hand is described as the

intention and willingness by an individual to increase vulnerability to

a certain group. The two theories on trust are reflective of an

individual’s relationship with other members at the workplace. They are

meant to give a view of how the employees interact with each other and

with the customers depending with the organization’s activities and

scope. This can increase or decrease productivity of an employee if

they perceive they are badly/well treated by other members of the same

time or by their workmates. It further reflects on the organization’s

working environment and how it enables its employees with good working

conditions and encourages interactive platforms within the

organization. This can be done through organizing seminars and

workshops with the employees of the company or a specific department to

improve on the interaction and communication development between

workers. Organizing for outside interactive platforms with the

customers and suppliers can also improve the interaction between the

groups and as a result improve on the productivity of the employees in

the organization. Organizational trust assesses the trust that the

employees have on the organization thereby referring to employee faith

in corporate goal attainment and organizational leaders and prove

organizational actions are beneficial to employees. These are the main

aspects that employees are interested in when assessing an

organization’s objectives and goals in order to determine how

beneficial it is to them. The trust that the employees have on

institutions is also critical in addressing knowledge management and

problem solving techniques that need to be implemented by an

organization and the techniques that can work for a given company. The

question on the relationship of management and problem solving

techniques and their application in today’s organizations has been

previously researched and that’s the reason for the above theoretical

framework. It was found that organizational culture is a determinant in

assessing knowledge management and problem solving techniques

implemented by the company. The current debate has however moved from

organizational culture as a determinant of knowledge management and

moved to the application to the global market trends. The current

discussion argues that organizations do not solely depend on

organizational culture while making knowledge management and problem

solving techniques but on the global trends and competitiveness of the

outside world (Seirafi, 2013). However, knowledge management and

problem solving techniques are applicable to the employees and the

outside world and therefore organizational culture is the most

important aspect that should be evaluated in trying to understand

difference between organization’s adoptions of the techniques.

 

There are limitations in past and present threads of research into the

topic since they are both deficient addressing all issues arising from

knowledge management and problem solving techniques. In the past the

organizational culture has been the main focus when assessing knowledge

management and problem solving techniques by an organization (Charl,

2007). However, this has been presently changed by focusing more on the

global markets relations than on the organizational culture. The two

theories are deficient in that one has a limited scope while the other

has a bigger scope but does not establish the basic concepts of

knowledge management and problem solving techniques in a company. The

organizational culture is rather myopic and does not focus on the

bigger picture thereby it gives only the internal part of knowledge

management tool as a means of moulding and keeping the organization

structure and processes in check to enhance productivity of the

employees. The present theory is more concerned with the application of

knowledge management and problem solving techniques to the global

market and fails to highlight the basic tenets of the techniques that

are built on organizational culture of an organization. Integrating the

two theories is the best method in conducting a conclusive research on

knowledge management and problem solving techniques for different

organizations and their applicability to improving an organization’s

competitiveness and global expansiveness.

The key assumptions of the

research is that first there is n