Improving knowledge-based management in a higher education organisation

Abstract

As knowledge intensive organisations, higher education (HE) organisations also face a challenge of creating value from data and utilising knowledge in decision-making. However, in many HE organisations, knowledge management practices and culture are not very evolved. Overall, knowledge-based management is not yet widely recognised in HE-context. The aim of this research was to study knowledge-based management in HE context through a case study of a Finnish technical university. This research was conducted as a qualitative single case study and research material was collected by 19 thematic interviews consisting mostly of upper and middle management personnel. The results are analysed through a Framework of information and knowledge management. Based on a vast analysis, some suggestions were made of how the knowledge-based management could be improved in the organisation.