Knowledge management practices and organizational performance : a case of the Royal Thai Air Force

Abstract

The objectives of the research were 1) to develop a model of knowledge management practices and organizational performance, 2) to validate the relationship of knowledge management practices and organizational performance in the model, and 3) to suggest for the improvement of knowledge management practices and organizational performance. This study investigated one independent variable (knowledge management practices), one intervening variable (innovation) and one dependent variable (organizational performance). Both quantitative research and qualitative research were conducted to test the relationship of the variables in the proposed model and conceptual framework. In quantitative research, a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data from all 185 commanders and directors of Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) organizations. And the number of returned questionnaires was 100%. In qualitative research, the population were six RTAF administrators who were responsible for knowledge management. The unit of analysis was organization. The Path Analysis was employed to find out direct and indirect relationship of independent variable, the dependent variable and the intervening variable. The characteristics of sample were described by descriptive statistics. The findings from quantitative analysis proved the hypotheses of the proposed model. The findings were that knowledge management practices positively influenced the organizational performance, through innovation. The results of quantitative analysis were supported by the results of qualitative analysis. The model in this study contributes to the body of knowledge of knowledge management practices, innovation and organizational performance. This study contributes to the literature by theoretically developing a conceptual model and then empirically examining the relationships among knowledge management practices, innovation and organizational performance. The findings in this study are valuable for manager’s reference, especially for those whose circumstances are similar to the military organizations. The model provides useful information for managers to enhance organizational performance through knowledge management practices and innovation. Practitioners can use the findings to extend research on knowledge management and innovation. Further research should be conducted on the measurement of product innovation and other types of organization than the Royal Thai Air Force.