Measuring and explaining the underlying factors for implementing knowledge management in Research and Development Centers. Case Study: Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI)

Research hypothesis of the present study entitled Measuring and explaining the underlying factors for implementing knowledge management in Research and Development Centers , have been developed based on the underlying principles of knowledge management, including; processes of knowledge, information technology and organizational culture. The population of the study consists of all packaging professionals and company executives, with the total number of 150 people. Based on Morgan sampling method, the sample size of the study was calculated to be 108 people. The research method is a descriptive–survey one, and a questionnaire was used to collect the data. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.968 of the questionnaire, showed that it is reliable. Regarding the samples, the questionnaires were distributed randomly among individuals. After collecting the data, a binomial distribution test was used to test the research hypothesis. Binomial test results showed that organizational culture, from among the underlying principles of knowledge management, is in appropriate status for implementing knowledge management in Research and Development Centers. But the other two factors, i.e. information technology and the processes of knowledge, are not in appropriate status for implementing knowledge management in Research and Development Centers. The answers of the questions of the study indicated that the status of the underlying principles of knowledge management in Research and Development Centers are not appropriate.

Keywords:

knowledge management , processes of knowledge , information technology , and organizational culture