Abstract
M.Phil. (Information Management)
Knowledge management (KM) has been embraced by the industry as furthering the competitive advantage of organisations with knowledge being seen as a commodity in the knowledge economy. KM is multidisciplinary in nature and as such KM graduates hail from various disciplines. KM professionals perform various KM roles with specific KM skills and competencies being required in each role.
The purpose of this study was to collect data on KM education programmes available at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa as well as skills required by KM professionals in the workplace. The study also aimed to match educational programmes available at the four HEIs in South Africa with the skill set required of KM professionals by organisations and to establish any gaps that currently exist in KM programmes and modules offered at HEIs.
Findings of the study indicated certain gaps that exist in KM education at HEIs in South Africa. Content analysis of KM programmes and modules offered at HEIs was conducted to establish which KM skills and competencies are addressed at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with KM professionals (alumni) working in the KM industry to ascertain KM roles as well as KM skills and competencies required of KM graduates in knowledge intensive organisations. While KM education in South Africa appears to equip KM graduates for KM roles, there appear to exist gaps in the curricula of current undergraduate KM programmes and modules on offer at HEIs in South Africa. Interview subjects confirmed this and the need to address such gaps to better equip KM graduates for KM roles required in industry. In this way KM graduates will be able to add value in an organisation and advance in a KM role.