| dc.description.abstract | Knowledge management (KM) is an effort to increase useful knowledge within the
organization by encouraging proper creation, codification, usage, sharing and storage of
information within organization and communities of practice. Issues on county institutions to
be competitive in the knowledge economy and create effective and decision, they must
effectively manage their knowledge assets. Unfortunately, most counties and organizations at
large don’t adequately leverage on their knowledge due to lack of a systematic and well
coordinated approach to managing their knowledge management practices (KMP). The aim
of this study was to assess the level of knowledge management practices in county
institutions and propose strategies to enhance the processes in regard Nairobi and Embu
county governments. The specific objectives of the study were to: Examine level of
knowledge management practices ; establish the types of knowledge management tools;
assess the competences of information professionals; find out the challenges facing
knowledge management practices; Propose possible solutions to knowledge management at
Nairobi and Embu county governments. The study is a comparative study, which utilized
qualitative research methodology. The sample size constituted of 266 respondents drawn
from Nairobi and Embu county governments. Purposive sampling technique was used to
select respondents from the two counties, this includes the county secretary, head of
departments and key informants were drawn from the counties. Data was collected with the
aid of a semi-structured interview schedule and self-administered questionnaires. Data
presentation is mainly descriptive while analysis adopted the thematic analysis approach. Key
findings of the study show that respondents in Nairobi County were not aware of knowledge
management principles and practices at the Nairobi County while others indicated that they
were knowledgeable. Knowledge management tools should support the goals of knowledge
management initiatives. These tools will assist in information development, storage and
access as well as facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing. On competencies and skills,
knowledge competencies are critical to performance. The study recommends that County
institutions should engage a serious knowledge competence among its staff members. The
study also recommends that both Nairobi and Embu County Governments should adopt
knowledge management practices and principles to have effective and efficient delivery of
services. In addition, both counties should adopt the usage of knowledge management tools
as enablers to sustain and improve the performance. The study further recommends that to
overcome the barriers to knowledge management we have to move away from the silo
mentality to a knowledge-sharing culture. The study recommended that communities of
practice should be voluntary but recognized and rewarded by the organization. | en_US |
