Abstract:

The use of knowledge management (KM) as a strategic management tool in the public sector is rapidly increasing as the public sector organisations are becoming knowledge intensive. The public sector organisations use KM to enhance decision-making with a view to improving organisational performance and service delivery. Implementation of KM processes in the education sector can lead to improved learner performance. While KM is beginning to receive attention in the public sector, very little research has been conducted on the challenges of its implementation in the education department especially in schools.

Thus the aim of this study was to investigate the challenges of knowledge management in the Department of Education, Pinetown District. The research approach adopted in this study is quantitative research and it involves collection of data from 104 randomly sampled schools in the Pinetown district through self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS 24.

The analysis of the results revealed that a school that is a very controlled place where formal procedures are followed and collaboration among staff members positively influence knowledge sharing. Existence of a strategy that caters for creation of data and knowledge sharing impacts positively on knowledge sharing and knowledge application while technological infrastructure was found to have an impact on knowledge application but not knowledge sharing.

Based on the findings of the study, the Department of Education needs to ensure creation of an organisational culture that supports KM processes, development a strategy that caters for KM initiatives, communication and awareness of KM, top management support, improvement of technological infrastructure and that a change management programme is in place.

Keywords:

Knowledge Management, Knowledge Application, Knowledge Sharing, Decision-Making.