Knowledge Management Practice and Use of Information and Communication Technology: A Case Study of Northwest University, Kano

Knowledge management has become a key factor for the success of all organizations. Information and communication technology (ICT) remains the only technology that facilitates information and knowledge sharing in any organization. Therefore, its use is prominent in any form of knowledge management initiative. The value of knowledge management is more when made available to the right people at the right time. Thus, knowledge sharing is facilitated through information and communication technology including computers, telephones, e-mail, databases, data mining systems, search engines, video conference and many more. The chapter investigates the practice of knowledge capture, sharing, storage and utilization among the academic and non-academic staff of Northwest University, Kano. Two hundred (200) staff were selected as a sample using a simple random sampling technique. A questionnaire was used for the data collection. SSPS version 20.0 was used to generate frequencies, percentages and mean scores. The findings revealed that there wasn’t any form of standard in knowledge management practice among the staff, however majority have been and are still willing to share knowledge. It was also discovered that there wasn’t much commitment by the University management towards enhancing knowledge management practice. The study highlighted lack of management intervention and lack of sophisticated and up-to-date information and communication facilities as major challenges to the practice of knowledge management in the institution. It concludes by highlighting the acceptability of knowledge management practice among the staff of the University. It was also recommended that the application and use of information and communication technology to support knowledge management practice requires a new conceptual approach. The University management should also be more committed to the issue of knowledge management practice