The role of knowledge management infrastructure in building sustainable competitive advantage in learning organizations, Case study

Abstract

This thesis aims to define the role of knowledge management infrastructure in building sustainable competitive advantage in learning organizations, using the case study of AMENHYD spa, Company for the Study and Realization of Hydraulic Works and Environmental Development Works in Algeria. In order to gather the necessary information, the qualitative and quantitative research method was used. For that purpose, a several interviews with company leaders was conducted. In addition, two questionnaires were distributed. Through the first questionnaire, we tried to identify the organizational culture of the company, and the extent to which it consolidates the values of knowledge management. The second questionnaire contributed to confirm the data collected through interviews and documents, and highlighting the role of knowledge management infrastructure in building a sustainable competitive advantage in the company. The first questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 333 employees from all administrative levels. In order to achieve the objective of the second questionnaire, it was distributed only to the senior executives in the company (the target population). Hence, we analyzed and discussed results of the collected data and tested the hypotheses. The results of the research indicate that the company emphasizes the knowledge management infrastructure (organizational culture, organizational structure, and information technology) to varying degrees, and has a lack in the KM processes capabilities. In addition, the company works on enhancing the building blocks of sustainable competitive advantage (efficiency, quality, innovation, and customer responsiveness). Moreover, the study shows that the knowledge management infrastructure has a positive role in building sustainable competitive advantage in the company, but the latter need to develop knowledge management processes capabilities to preserve this position in the market, and become a learning organization. In order to achieve this goal, we provided the company with a set of recommendations, including a roadmap. Key words: Knowledge management,