Edwin Asiamah Acheampong

396 Pages·2014·3.55 MB·English

by  Acheampong, Edwin

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATIONS:
DEVELOPING A PRACTICE FRAMEWORK FOR GHANA

EDWIN ASIAMAH ACHEAMPONG
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the
University of Bolton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

The Bolton Business School
The University of Bolton
2014
Abstract

Accomplishing much is not determined by the possession of splendid talents,
but the conscious performance of daily duties (Adaptation from Prophets & Kings by E.G. White)

Knowledge Management emerged in the mid-1990s as a solution to the challenge of
managing intellectual assets in the post-industrial era widely known as knowledge
economy; which is transforming every sector of the global economy – both private and
public. However, the tendency of existing literature to convey Knowledge Management
(KM) theories and concepts, and indeed its practices, in predominantly private sector
context has created a ‘gap’ and marginalised the transformational impact of this important
field. At the same time the slow rate, and, to a large extent, non-adoption of knowledge
management practices within the public sector, particularly in developing countries, is a
missed opportunity as long as the status quo is not improved.
This PhD research traces the emergence of the knowledge economy phenomenon,
explores knowledge management as an organisational strategy and focuses on how the
public sector in developing economies, especially Ghana, can adopt KM strategies and
techniques to enhance public administration and performance. More importantly, a KM
practice framework is developed encourage its institutionalisation.
Based on the interpretivist research paradigm and a multi-site case study design,
seventeen public sector organisations in Ghana and seven in the United Kingdom were
studied to collate and synthesize relevant organisational factors and conditions that
influence KM. Fifteen factors and conditions were found to provide rationale for KM and to
sustain its deployment as a strategic intervention in public sector organisations. These
factors and conditions were abstracted into four core categories to define a KM practice
framework for the sector.
Theoretically, this study is a significant contribution to public sector KM as the developed
framework provides context for the field in a new arena. For public administrators in
Ghana, it opens up pragmatic strategic options to grow intellectual capabilities to improve
efficiency in policy-making and service delivery. Practically, the study is a significant step
towards institutionalising KM in Ghana as a direct response to development partners’ calls
for efficient public administration and meeting a major component of the New Public
Management agenda: public organisations becoming learning institutions.

Key words: knowledge management, knowledge economy, public sector.
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Dedication

Render honour to whom honour is due (Romans 13:7)

This thesis is dedicated to the inspiring life of my pastor and friend:

Reverend Elliot Nana Yaw Lamptey (Gospel Believers Chapel Int, Ghana)
(1954 – 2011)

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Acknowledgement

Only when we have knelt before God, can we stand before men
Pastor Andrews L. Ewoo

I thank the Almighty God for His care, benevolence and protection throughout this epic
academic journey. Being a Christian, my belief is that nothing gets well done without the
blessing of Jesus Christ. Very special thanks go to the joint-sponsors of this research,
University of Bolton (UK) and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and all who directly
supported in diverse ways. My supervisor, Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi, deserves my
unreserved gratitude. He has been the brain behind my aspirations and accomplishments.
I would always be indebted to my supervisor for his mentorship, guidance and confidence
in me. My second supervisor, Dr Zahra Salimi, is acknowledged for her support. To my
colleagues, I doff my hat for the nice times we shared and for your encouragement when
boredom and lethargy appeared to take hold.
Many thanks go to my dad, Mr Edwin Opoku-Acheampong, for spending hours and hours
to proof read my thesis. To Dr Nick Milton of Knoco Limited, UK, who connected me to
Knowledge Managers in the UK public sector, I say a big ‘thank you’. To all my UK and
Ghana research participants, I acknowledge and express my heartfelt gratitude to you for
your candid and insightful opinions and views. This thesis embodies those opinions and
views, founded on your rich experiences and knowledge, both within the public sector and
elsewhere, and which carry the ‘magic sceptre’ that can transform the Ghanaian public
sector.
My family, Christian friends, brothers and sisters who prayed for me are hereby
acknowledged. Your thoughts and hearts were with me throughout my academic sojourn
in the UK and so you deserve my unreserved thanks. I appreciate the patience of my
daughters: Nadia, Nancy and Frema, who took it easy without me for much of the three
years I was studying abroad. Finally I praise my dear wife Grace, for giving meaning to the
saying: “behind every successful man, there is a virtuous woman”. She inspired joy and
hope that provided me with sustenance throughout this arduous journey.

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Table of Contents

ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................................................I
DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................................................. II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................. III
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................... IV
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................................ VII
LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................................... VIII
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ IX
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 CHAPTER PREVIEW ............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ................................................................................. 2
1.3 MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.4 RESEARCH PROBLEM AND QUESTIONS .......................................................................................................... 5
1.5 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................... 7
1.7 RESEARCH CONTEXTS ........................................................................................................................................ 8
1.8 OVERARCHING RESEARCH PROCESS ............................................................................................................. 9
1.9 THESIS STRUCTURE .......................................................................................................................................... 11
1.10 CHAPTER SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................... 12
2 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................................................... 13
2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2 KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY: A GLOBAL CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY ................................................ 14
2.2.1 THE EMERGENCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY ......................................................................................... 14
2.2.2 THE WORLD BANK’S KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY FRAMEWORK ...................................................................... 18
2.2.3 THE KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY (THE WORLD BANK) .................................................. 23
2.2.4 TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY: THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES 39
2.2.5 TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY: THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES ....................................... 43
2.2.6 TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY: COUNTRIES IN ASIA .......................................................... 45
2.2.7 TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY: MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES ............................................. 47
2.2.8 TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY: AFRICAN COUNTRIES ...................................................... 50
2.2.9 TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY: GHANA ................................................................................... 54
2.3 EXPLORING KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT DISCIPLINE .............................................................. 59
2.3.1 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON KNOWLEDGE ............................................................................................. 59
2.3.2 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: A CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AND DISCIPLINE ....... 66
2.3.3 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES........................................................................................................... 71
2.4 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT THEORIES AND FRAMEWORKS .............................................. 76
2.4.1 THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE CREATION ..................................................................................................................... 77
2.4.2 COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ................................................................................................................................. 80
2.4.3 ‘TRACKS’ OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................... 83
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2.4.4 KNOWLEDGE FROM STORYTELLING ...................................................................................................................... 85
2.4.5 KNOWLEDGE MARKETS .............................................................................................................................................. 87
2.4.6 THE DOUGHNUT MODEL OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ............................................................................ 88
2.4.7 STANKOSKY, CALABRESE AND BALDANZA’S KM FRAMEWORK .................................................................. 90
2.4.8 THE BCPI KM FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................................................... 92
2.5 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.............................................................. 93
2.5.1 THE PUBLIC SECTOR VERSUS THE PRIVATE SECTOR .................................................................................... 94
2.5.2 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ..................................................................................... 96
2.6 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FOR GHANA’S PSOS: A NECESSITY ...................................... 99
2.6.1 MANAGING KNOWLEDGE IN GHANA’S PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATIONS ............................................. 99
2.6.2 THE CHALLENGES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES .................................................................................................101
2.6.3 A PUBLIC SECTOR-ORIENTED KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR GHANA ................101
2.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 105
3 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................... 106
3.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 106
3.2 RESEARCH PARADIGM .......................................................................................................................... 109
3.2.1 POSITIVISM ....................................................................................................................................................................113
3.2.2 INTERPRETIVISM ..........................................................................................................................................................115
3.2.3 CRITICAL THEORY ......................................................................................................................................................118
3.2.4 OTHER PARADIGMS: POSTPOSITIVISM AND PRAGMATISM ..........................................................................120
3.2.5 ADOPTED PARADIGM: INTERPRETIVIST PERSPECTIVE.................................................................................121
3.3 RESEARCH METHOD ............................................................................................................................... 122
3.3.1 RESEARCH APPROACH: QUALITATIVE STUDY .................................................................................................122
3.3.1.1 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH .....................................................................................................................................123
3.3.1.2 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH ..................................................................................................................................124
3.3.1.3 MIXED METHODS RESEARCH .............................................................................................................................124
3.3.2 RESEARCH STRATEGY: MULTIPLE CASE STUDIES METHOD .....................................................................125
3.3.2.1 ETHNOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................................................125
3.3.2.2 ACTION RESEARCH ................................................................................................................................................126
3.3.2.3 GROUNDED THEORY .............................................................................................................................................128
3.3.2.4 CASE STUDY (CHOSEN METHOD) ....................................................................................................................130
3.4 RESEARCH DESIGN ................................................................................................................................. 135
3.4.1 CASE SELECTION .......................................................................................................................................................138
3.4.1.1 MAIN UNITS OF ANALYSES - CASES ................................................................................................................140
3.4.1.2 SUB-UNIT OF ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................................142
3.4.2 DATA COLLECTION .....................................................................................................................................................145
3.4.3 DATA ANALYSIS ...........................................................................................................................................................148
3.5 VALIDITY, RELIABILITY AND GENERALISABILITY ..................................................................... 154
3.6 RESEARCH ETHICS .................................................................................................................................. 156
3.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 157
4 FINDINGS AND FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................ 159
4.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 159
4.1.1 UNITS OF ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION OF THE CODING PROCESS ................................160
4.2 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................ 164
4.2.1 PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS: A SCHEMA.........................................................................................................165
4.2.2 CORE CATEGORIES, FACTORS AND CONDITIONS ..........................................................................................168
4.2.1 EXPECTATION (C1) ....................................................................................................................................................171
4.2.1.1 KNOWLEDGE DISPERSION (K1) .........................................................................................................................172
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4.2.1.2 EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY-MAKING (F1) ........................................................................................................177
4.2.1.3 REFORMS (K2).........................................................................................................................................................182
4.2.2 ENVIRONMENT (C2) ...................................................................................................................................................189
4.2.2.1 SENIOR SPONSORSHIP (F2) ...............................................................................................................................194
4.2.2.2 COLLABORATION (K3) ...........................................................................................................................................200
4.2.2.3 EVENTS (F3) .............................................................................................................................................................207
4.2.2.4 POLICY AND POLITICS (K4, K5, K6) ................................................................................................................211
4.2.3 MEANS ............................................................................................................................................................................219
4.2.3.1 STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT ...........................................................................................................................................222
4.2.3.2 KM STRUCTURE ..........................................................................................................................................................227
4.2.3.3 KM UNIVERSE ..............................................................................................................................................................234
4.2.3.4 BUSINESS ACTIVITY ...................................................................................................................................................245
4.2.4 INFRASTRUCTURE .......................................................................................................................................................252
4.2.4.1 TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ...............................................................................................................253
4.2.4.2 PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE .............................................................................................................................259
4.3 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR PSOS IN GHANA................................... 264
4.3.1 THE PROPOSED KM PRACTICE FRAMEWORK (2EMS): BUILDING BLOCKS ........................................265
4.3.2 THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK AND PSOS IN GHANA ...................................................................................268
4.3.3 THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK: IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE ...........................................................................272
4.3.3.1 PROPOSED KM PRACTICE FRAMEWORK: IMPLEMENTATION PHASES ...............................................272
4.3.3.2 SUSTAINING INTEREST IN THE PILOT PROJECT ..........................................................................................276
4.3.3.3 KM MATURITY MODEL ..........................................................................................................................................277
4.3.3.4 MEASURING KM RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................281
4.4 CHAPTER SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 282
5 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 283
5.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 283
5.2 PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH AND QUALITY ASSURANCE ................................................. 283
5.3 CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE .................................................................................................. 289
5.3.1 THEORETICAL CONTRIBUTIONS .............................................................................................................................290
5.3.2 PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ..................................................................................................................................295
5.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE RESEARCH ..................................................................................................... 299
5.5 RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE RESEARCH AND WORK ................................................. 300
5.6 EPISTEMOLOGICAL AND PERSONAL REFLEXIVITY ................................................................. 301
5.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 304
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................ 305
APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................................................... 321

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List of Tables

Table 2.1 Typologies of Knowledge......................................................................................................53
Table 3.1 Overview of Main- and Sub-units of Analysis and Related Organisations .........................119
Table 4.1 Application of grounded theory data collection techniques…………...................................163
Table 4.2 Core categories, intermediate categories, KM factors and KM conditions ………..............169
Table 4.3 Expectation core category – substantiating codes ……………………….............................171
Table 4.4 Knowledge dispersion KM condition – substantiating codes ……………….........................173
Table 4.5 Evidence-based policy-making – substantiating codes ………………….............................178
Table 4.6 Reforms KM condition – substantiating codes …................................................................182
Table 4.7 Culture intermediate category – substantiating codes ……….……………..........................190
Table 4.8 Inertia intermediate category – substantiating codes …………………….............................193
Table 4.9 Senior sponsorship KM factor – substantiating codes ……………………...........................195
Table 4.10 Difference between a community of practice and formal work group ……..........................201
Table 4.11 Collaboration KM condition – substantiating codes ………………………............................202
Table 4.12 Events KM factor – substantiating codes ………….………………………............................207
Table 4.13 Policy and politics – substantiating codes ….......................................................................213
Table 4.14 Means core category – substantiating codes ………………………………..........................220
Table 4.15 Strategic alignment – substantiating codes …....................................................................223
Table 4.16 KM structure – substantiating codes ……………….………………………...........................228
Table 4.17 KM universe – substantiating codes ………………………………………….........................235
Table 4.18 Business activity – substantiating codes ............................................................................246
Table 4.19 Infrastructure core category – substantiating codes ……….……………….........................254
Table 4.20 Technological infrastructure KM factor – substantiating codes …………...........................255
Table 4.21 Physical infrastructure KM factor – substantiating codes ………………….........................261

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List of Figures

Figure 1.1 An overview of research process adopted ...........................................................................8
Figure 2.1 Knowledge makes the difference: South Korea and Mexico ................................................15
Figure 2.2 KAM’s Knowledge Indexes – KEI and KI ...............................................................................22
Figure 2.3 Finland – Knowledge Economy Index (2012 & 2000) ...........................................................24
Figure 2.4 Sweden – Knowledge Economy Basic Scorecard (2012 & 2000) ........................................25
Figure 2.5 United Kingdom – Knowledge Economy Basic Scorecard (2012 & 2000) ............................26
Figure 2.6 Ghana – Knowledge Economy Basic Scorecard (2012 & 2000) ...........................................27
Figure 2.7 Ghana – Knowledge Economy Index (2012 & 2000) ............................................................28
Figure 2.8 United Kingdom – Knowledge Economy Index (2012 & 2000) .............................................29
Figure 2.9 South Africa – Knowledge Economy Index (2012 & 2000) ...................................................30
Figure 2.10 Tanzania – Knowledge Economy Index (2012 & 2000) ........................................................31
Figure 2.11 Ghana and United Kingdom – Knowledge Economy Index (2012 & 2000) ...........................32
Figure 2.12 Knowledge Economy Index (MENA Countries) .....................................................................34
Figure 2.13 Four Modes of Knowledge Conversion ..................................................................................68
Figure 2.14 How Communities of Practice Underpin Knowledge Processes ............................................71
Figure 2.15 The Doughnut Model of Knowledge Management .................................................................77
Figure 2.16 Stankosky, Calabrese and Baldanza’s Knowledge Management Framework .......................79
Figure 2.17 The BCPI Knowledge Management Framework ....................................................................80
Figure 3.1 Research Process Onions .....................................................................................................92
Figure 3.2 Research-Specific Multiple Case Study Design ....................................................................117
Figure 4.1 Presentation of findings: A schema ………............................................................................166
Figure 4.2 Public sector business activity and KM ………......................................................................246
Figure 4.3 The 2EMS KM practice framework …………….....................................................................268
Figure 4.4 KM implementation phases …...............................................................................................274
Figure 4.5 KM maturity – stages …………………………….....................................................................279
Figure 4.6 KM maturity – stepwise depiction ………………....................................................................281

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List of Abbreviations

2EMS - Expectation, Environment, Means and Support
CoP - Community of Practice
K4D - Knowledge for Development
KAM - Knowledge Assessment Methodology
KE - Knowledge Economy
KI - Knowledge Index/Knowledge indexes
KIM - Knowledge and Information Management
KM - Knowledge Management
MDA - Ministry, Department and Agency
PSO - Public Sector Organisation
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