Towards Knowledge Management: an Exploratory Study for Developing a KM Framework in Iran

This paper is to develop a knowledge management (KM) model in some Iranian academic research centers (ARC) based on KM critical success factors. General KM critical success factors (CSF) were identified through literature review. Then the research procedure led to the identification of KM critical success factors in Iranian ARCs including 16 different factors. It was done through first stage survey by about 300 sample targets. Then, these 16 factors were surveyedseparately again by experts through a Delphi panel. The experts suggested their practical solutions for exploiting the 16 factors in ARCs through a KM framework based on a KM cycle. This 2 years research has been done during 2006 to 2008.

Keywords:

Knowledge management , KM cycle , Academic research centers , Factor analysis , Critical success factor , KM framework , Delphi method