A survey of Knowledge Management Practice among academic staff at the University of Botswana

Today Knowledge Management (KM) is considered as a strategic management tool for all types of organisations. Universities being the research-intensive and knowledge generating academic institutions are better placed to practice knowledge management than any other organisation. With the above in mind, this study sought to explore the knowledge management practices at the University of Botswana. The objectives of the study were to: identify valuable/critical knowledge; examine major knowledge management initiatives; find out the existence of basic KM infrastructure; explore key processes that are most critical in knowledge management; and determine the benefits of KM; and establish the challenges faced at the University of Botswana (UB). A structured questionnaire was used to carry out the study. The questionnaire was distributed to Deans, professors and Heads of Departments. The findings of the study revealed that at the University the most valuable and critical knowledge is considered research outputs. The major KM initiative is the digital repository based in the Library to showcase the University of Botswana research. The University has required technological infrastructure, but the findings suggest that it is not being utilised in promoting KM. Further, the findings revealed that the University lacks a KM strategy with policies and procedures to promote KM and the staff are not aware of the concept of KM. The paper concludes that UB requires to develop a KM strategy and train people in KM.