Knowledge management practices at an institution of higher learning

Background: This article underscores the fact that society is becoming more and moreknowledge-based, and that the organisations that can identify, value, create and evolvetheir knowledge assets are likely to be more successful than those that do not. Knowledgemanagement (KM) is about enhancing the use of organisational knowledge through soundpractices of KM and organisational learning. KM practices encompass the capture and/oracquisition of knowledge, its retention and organisation, its dissemination and re-use, andlastly responsiveness to the new knowledge.Objective: The focus of this study was on KM principles and practices that may be in placein the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). The argument is that KM and its survivalprinciples and tools may help the College to improve performance. However, there isuncertainty about whether the use of KM principles and tools can partly solve the College’sapproach to improving the quality of education it provides.Methods: A mixed methods research methodology encompassing a questionnaire, observation,interviews, and use of institutional documents was used in the investigation.Results: The findings of the study indicate that KM concepts were not universally understoodat MCNY.Conclusion: There is a need to create a knowledge inventory at MCNY. This may help theCollege to develop appropriate institution-wide policies and practices for proper and wellorganised methods of integrating work processes, collaborating and sharing (including theefficient use of social media), and developing an enabling institutional culture.