The impact of organisational culture on knowledge management practices: a case study of a small to medium sized Irish software company

Authors

Healy, Orla

Issue Date

2017

Degree

MSc Information and Library Management

Publisher

Dublin Business School

Rights

Items in eSource are protected by copyright. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/copyright holder.

Abstract

This dissertation explores, by means of a mixed methods research process, the impact of organisational culture on knowledge management practices. Much research exists in the fields of knowledge management and organisational culture. However, a review of the appropriate literature, suggests that there appears to be limited research carried out on organisational culture can impact knowledge management initiatives within the context of a software company based in Ireland. The dissertation starts with the basic objective of exploring the impact of organisational culture on knowledge management practices in a small to medium sized Irish software company. This provides the basis for the primary research and the subsequent research methodology which is employed to explore the stated research question, discussed within the context of existing literature. Results and findings are by means of a missed process of both quantitative and qualitative research process rooted in inductive grounded theory whereby emergent themes are analysed within the context of the research question and discussed in terms of their relevance. Research findings correlate with both the primary and secondary sources of data to establish that cultural factors are key enablers of effective knowledge management practices.