Knowledge Management Implementation in the Nigerian HospitalityIndustry

Abstract

This study focuses on the role of knowledge management in sustaining and enhancing innovation in the hospitality industry. In particular the study seeks to establish a knowledge management model within which the principles of innovation can be incorporated. There is a brief review of knowledge management and hospitality concepts and their respective synergies, and the various definitions mentioned indicated that knowledge management has the potential to be a catalyst for innovation within organizations. The study applied the survey methods where questionnaires were distributed to 240 respondents and analyzed using statistical analysis techniques. Most of the respondents perceived knowledge management as a way to add value. The results indicated that the state of knowledge–management framework implementation in the hospitality industry has been accepted. The study also identified knowledge management as one of the most important resources that contributes to the competitive advantage of an organization. This study provided a better understanding of the determinant factors and variables of knowledge management. The study could assist organizations to better design their knowledge–management schemes and generate fruitful outcomes for both employees and organizations. Our study shed light on the important role of knowledge management and the role of top management in legitimizing and empowering the knowledge management leaders. The study pointed out that future research can focus on the knowledge management leaders and address issues such as the characteristics of effective knowledge-management leaders and how can an organization develop a committed team of knowledge management leaders.