A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN TURKISH IT SECTOR

Today, knowledge is the most important factor in the competitive advantage of firms. Hence, firms aiming to improve their performance should employ effective knowledge management programs. However, there are a number of factors which should be considered in knowledge management programs. In this study; knowledge management process, knowledge types (explicit and tacit), the conversion between tacit and explicit type, and technology usage in conversion between explicit and tacit type are considered. The effect of technology usage on firm performance, knowledge management process and knowledge management management style is examined. Also, the relation between knowledge management types, firm performance and knowledge management process is investigated. A mail-based survey was given to IT firms in Turkey, those which are registered to Informatics Association of Turkey. 77 of 624 firms answered the questionnaire. None of the technologies were found to be effective in firm performance. Another interesting conclusion is that, knowleddge management styles do not affect firm performance but knowledge management processes affect firm performance except application process. The last word is that IT firms in Turkey can’t manage their tacit knowledge effectively hence “how to manage tacit knowledge effectively in IT firms in Turkley ” should be the basis of a further study