Abstract
This study had as an aim to identify whether there is a need for process-aware knowledge
management (KM) systems in South Africa. The research question that had to be answered
was: Is there a need for process-aware knowledge management systems in South Africa? As
such, the study focused on the benefits of KM systems, whether there is a need for processaware
KM systems, as well as the challenges associated with implementing KM systems in
the context of the South African environment.
The methodological choice utilised was the mono-method qualitative, which according to
Azorín and Cameron (2010), refers to the use of either quantitative or qualitative methods. As
such, qualitative means were used as a tool to examine the main objective: To determine
whether there is a need for process-aware KM systems to be implemented in South African
organisations. In tackling the objectives, a literature review was used together with nonstandardised,
semi-structured interviews of 5 participants working at a knowledge
management consulting firm. In the end, it was found that South Africa is still in the first stage
of KM, which is the initiation stage. This stage mainly focuses on increasing awareness of the
field. This suggests that South African organisations are at a stage where introducing a system
has more to do with how people will react to it as opposed to what the system does.
Another key finding was that the attitude of people is more important than implementing a
system. At this early stage of KM in South Africa, a KM system is regarded as only an enabler,
meaning, it does not matter what system you implement, should people not use it or should
they reject it, then organisations would have wasted resources in implementing the system.
As such, it is more important to have measures in place that encourage positive attitudes
towards any system that is implemented. A system being process-aware has little effect on
the success of the system.