Determinants of KMS adoption in Malaysian organizations: evidence across various industries

Abstract

PurposeThis article investigates the determinants of knowledge management system (KMS) adoption, specifically with reference to Malaysian organizations across various industries.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modelling approach using PLS technique was utilized to analyze the hypotheses developed, based on the survey data from 830 respondents comprised of information technology or knowledge management managers in Malaysian organizations from various industries.FindingsKnowledge management (KM) enabling processes, perceived usefulness of KMS, knowledge sharing culture, knowledge taxonomy, and policy and procedure for KMS work, display significant positive effects on the KMS adoption level, with KM enabling processes having the strongest significant positive influence. Meanwhile, incentive and reward, management commitment, and KMS perceived ease of use possess no significant direct effect. However, management commitment was found to have an indirect effect on the KMS adoption level, where its effect is mediated by knowledge sharing culture.Practical implicationsThis article outlines several managerial implications for enhancing the adoption of KMS, which include establishing appropriate KM enabling processes, identifying pertinent information to be preserved, shared, and reuse, and generating initiatives to instil a culture of knowledge sharing.Originality/valueThe empirical findings support the relevancy of the technology acceptance model (TAM) construct of perceived usefulness in KMS adoption context and advances the understanding that knowledge sharing culture is a highly influential factor for this construct. This study enriches and extends technology acceptance theory by presenting a more holistic model for KMS adoption with the integration of influencing factors that are inherent to organization.