Oman Oil Company: Knowledge Management Issues and Solutions

This report provides a detailed analysis of the knowledge management (KM) challenges faced by Oman Oil Company. It identifies key issues such as human-related challenges stemming from organizational culture, outdated technologies hindering information flow, and communication gaps affecting knowledge sharing. The report reviews relevant literature, including studies on KM practices, cloud computing, and organizational culture, to support its findings. It then offers specific recommendations to address these challenges, focusing on enhancing organizational structure, improving the capacity of data storage, and upgrading knowledge systems. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues to improve organizational performance, employee training, and overall KM effectiveness. By understanding and implementing these recommendations, Oman Oil Company can improve its knowledge management practices.

Running head: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
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Executive summary
The report is aimed at identifying the issues that are faced by the organization, Oman Oil
Company, relating to the knowledge management systems of the business. The report
enumerates the different issues that are faced by the organization while implementing the KM
systems and the recommended actions that might be helping the business in circulating the
required knowledge. The proper utilization of the online computing systems of the organization
has helped the same in maintaining the different levels of change in the smooth functioning of
the business operations.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Literature review..........................................................................................................................3
3. Challenges faced by the organization while undertaking Knowledge management...................5
3.1 Human related challenges and culture orientation.................................................................5
3.2 Challenges related to outdated technologies..........................................................................7
3.3 Lack of proper communication..............................................................................................9
4. Recommendations........................................................................................................................9
4.1 Enhancing Structure of Oman Oil Company.......................................................................11
4.2 Improving the capacity of the drives at the Oman Oil Company........................................12
4.3 Improving Knowledge Systems of Oman Oil Company.....................................................12
4.4 Discussion of Knowledge Management Issue Solutions.....................................................13
5. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................15

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1. Introduction
The performance of the organizations while operating in the international markets are
directly related to the different changes and the management procedures that are considered by
the same. Knowledge management of the organizations helps in maintaining the congruity
among the different factors that are faced by the organizations while executing the modifications
in the processes of the enterprise. The initiative of upgrading skills of workforce through proper
induction of the relevant technological advancements helps in maintaining the improvements in
the functioning of the business.
The rationale of the study is dependent on the identification of different knowledge
management challenges that are faced by Oman oil Company. The different elements of the
change in the systems of the business while operating in the international markets are supported
through the proper knowledge management. The issues that are faced by the Oman Oil company
while managing the knowledge of the organization is being focused as a part of the report. On
the other hand, there are recommended actions that might be undertaken by the organization to
control the challenges related to cloud computing and Big Data.
2. Literature review
Chi, Lan and Dorjgotov (2012) stated that the identification of requirements of the
organization to sustain in markets are based on active management of knowledge assets, which
helps as a succeeding factor for the businesses while operating in the international markets. The
identification of needs of organizations is to bring in alterations in the processes, which is based
on managing the knowledge attributes. However, there are different issues that are faced by the

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organizations while introducing the different practices of the knowledge management as per the
criteria of the business. Zaied, Hussein and Hassan (2012) stated that the most important issue
that is faced by the organization while introducing the processes of KM are specifically based on
the limitation of information of the processes among the workforce. Organizations specifically
take step to bring in changes in the information systems to strengthen their objectives of
initiating the Knowledge Management systems of the business.
On the other hand, Pinho, Rego and Pina Cunha (2012) opined that the lack of
identification of the processes that are undertaken by the organization acts as a challenge while
an organization considers to undertake proper KM practices. The priorities of knowledge
management of the organizations are based on establishing a sound and skilled workforce who
would be applying their specific skills on the processes of the organization. However, lack of
knowledge of the organizational processes affects the proper functioning of the knowledge
management systems. The Open Source applications that might be utilized by the organization
are cloud computing and Big Data in the information systems. The utilization of the different
cloud computing procedures might bring in risks of data theft and violation of the ethical systems
that affects the functioning of the systems of the organization as per the objectives of the
business (Dixon-Woods, McNicol and Martin 2012). The community of practice that is
administered by the organization affects the functioning of the processes of the firm through the
understanding of the objectives of the business. Amine Chatti (2012) stated that the lack of
proper training of the employees affects the objectives of the business and the performance of the
same. Integrating knowledge management and business intelligence practice helps in improving
the organizational performance.

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The intelligence of the people while working as per the objectives of the business helps in
maintaining the different improvements in the processes of the organization. On the other hand,
Rusly, Corner and Sun (2012) opined the different structural and the cultural changes in the
organizational structure affects the implementation of Knowledge management of the business.
The management of the different information as per the functioning and the objectives of the
business is recollected and thereby passed on in the form of proper training sessions. However,
Martín-de Castro (2015) stated that the absence of proper training and development of the
employees affects the scope of circulating the required knowledge, which will be enabling the
employees to undertake the smooth functioning of the processes as per the objectives of the
business.
3. Challenges faced by the organization while undertaking Knowledge management
3.1 Human related challenges and culture orientation
The inherent organizational culture of the Oman Oil Company has affected the
functioning of the businesses through the prevention of disclosing various details as per the job
requirements. Organizational culture plays a major role in identifying the different knowledge
that can be imparted to the employees. Lin, Wu and Yen (2012) stated that the absence of
absolute knowledge of the processes affects the functioning of the management of the knowledge
in an organization. On the other hand, Martín-de Castro (2015) stated that the judgment of the
knowledge that might be imparted to the employees without disclosing the trade secrets of the
organization is hard to determine which affects the proper functioning of the KM processes that
are planned by the enterprise.

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Different human related factors that might affect knowledge management in an
organization is dependent on the functioning of the systems as per the facilitator. The
organization has taken steps to develop the methods of cloud computing; however, there are
issues relating to the technological functioning of the cloud computing. The facilitator plays an
important role in identifying the probable outdated techniques that are utilized in the
organization. Oman Oil Company faced issues relating to cloud computing due to the security
breaching and the like which has affected the smooth performance of the business while
undertaking its required processes. Gavrilova and Andreeva (2012) stated that there might be
instances where the individuals are afraid to share their knowledge of the processes that are
undertaken by the organization due to the fear of losing their respective positions in the business.
It has affected the functioning of the business as per the goals of the same to implement the
knowledge management systems in the processes. The different processes that are planned by the
organizations for the development of the workforce are based on delivering training sessions to
the employees (Pemsel and Wiewiora 2013). The training sessions helps in maintaining the
knowledge among the workforce. However, the lower storage capacity of the organization has
affected the objectives of the organization to provide extensive training to the employees on the
processes that are executed by the firm. It has affected the performance of business as per the
needs of the same to perform. Knowledge among workforce of processes that are estimated by
the enterprise facilitates smooth performance of the same while operating as per the objectives of
the business. Lee et al. (2013) stated that KM practices in the organization are dependent on the
identification of scopes of the organization. It helps in sharing valuable data and thereby
undertakes proper communities of practice initiative to develop the activities. The failure of the
employees to express their emotions and knowledge in the organizational structure affects the

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functioning of the organization while amending as per the KM initiatives of the business (Brodie
and Mylopoulos 2012).
3.2 Challenges related to outdated technologies
Omotayo (2015) stated that the outdated systems of the organization and the management
of the same through manual functioning has affected the proper functioning of the systems that
are planned by the business. The major issue that is faced by the organization while undertaking
the approach of proper KM practices are hindered by the technologies that are adopted by the
organization while operating in the international markets. Reich, Gemino and Sauer (2014) the
implementation of the proper technological aspects of the organizations helps in applying the
concepts of KM that is planned by the organization. On the other hand, Becerra-Fernandez,
Leidner andLeidner (2014) stated that the lack of proper documentation and circulation of
information among the organization affects the smooth functioning of the systems of the
business. The Oman Oil Company has recently faced issues while circulating the different
information among the workforce that would have been helped the workforce to undertake
smooth functioning of the business.
Pandey and Dutta (2013) stated that the identification of the issues in planning and
designing of the KM processes challenges the capabilities of the organization to bring forth
changes in the systems. On the other hand, the identification of the performance indicators that
are undertaken by the organizations affects the functioning of the systems that are planned by the
same for improving the functioning of the business. The discrepancies in the performance
indicators and the budgeting that is planned by the organization affects the functioning of the
same while operating as per the objectives of the business in the market. Ur-Rahmanand Harding
(2012) stated that the identification of the needs of the organization to bring in changes in the

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system of the business undertakings are based on the performance indicators. Therefore, the
issues that might occur at the time of the creation of the indicators affect the functioning of the
KM systems of the business. The budgetary deficits of the Oman Oil Company also affect the
proper functioning of the KM systems of the business.
According to Del Giudice and Maggioni (2014), retirement of the skilled employees and
frequent transfers affects the organizational objective of establishing a sound KM system.
retirement of the skilled employees from the workforce affects the flow of information as per the
experiences of the people. On the other hand, the functions that are undertaken by the managers
of the organization as the expatriates also affect the chain of knowledge transfer. Succession
planning process and development of the systems of the organization affects the functioning of
the KM systems of the business (Chandrasegaran et al. 2013). Proper succession planning helps
the organization in bringing forth improvements and thereby widening the scope of
implementing the KM process in the systems. However, most of the time organizations fail to
undertake the respective strategies however, in different stages the succession planning of the
organization fails to retain the objective of the organization as per the transfer of knowledge is
concerned. Von Krogh (2012) stated that the identification of requirements of organizations to
transfer the possessed skills of trained employees helps in the execution of succession planning
attributes. The change in the organizations are dependent on the identification of the
requirements of the business to change the systems and the functions that are undertaken by the
enterprise (Wiig 2012).
The practices that are undertaken by the organizations while considering the KM
practices are dependent on the functioning of the systems and the transmission of the knowledge
attributes among the employees of the organization. Becerra-Fernandez and Sabherwal (2014)

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stated that the documentation and the manner in which the organization communicates with the
employees of the same helps in establishing a sound coordination among the workforce. It helps
in maintaining standards of different modifications as per the systems of the enterprise. The
transmission procedure helps in maintaining congruency in actions that are planned by the
organization for initiating the practices of the KM. Firestone and McElroy (2012) stated that the
communication plays a major role in diversifying and circulating data among the staff members
in the organization.
3.3 Lack of proper communication
The failure to undertake proper communication strategies affects the organizational goals
of undertaking changes as per the needs of the business to bring forth innovation in the
processes. Undertaking communities of practice and thereby initiate proper coordination among
the members of the organization helps in initiating the practice of KM in the systems of the
business. Hislop (2013) noted that the organizational improvements and performance is based on
the transfer of skills among the members of the organization, which helps in the smooth
functioning of the business. Proper communication strategies that are planned by the business
fosters the change in the systems of the enterprise (Hwang and Ng 2013).
4. Recommendations
As per the research findings of previous researchers, the respondents suggested that there
are several corrective measures, which might be taken in order to deal with the recognized
knowledge management issues. This includes the information technology non-IT based
solutions. These researchers also stated that in consideration to the IT solutions, for example
“organization fragmentation” that is associated with the issues associated with problem of

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knowledge retrieval and storage along with revival and transfer. Previous researches indicated
that the systems must facilitate cooperation and coordination in the process of knowledge
management. The establishment of knowledge expert list along with corporate libraries serves as
the starting point in order to deal with the knowledge management issues.
Considering the difficulties faced is effective knowledge creation along with codification,
it is recommended that the multimedia use briefly explains the basic background knowledge. In
consideration to the absence standardized work processes most of the junior knowledge workers
recommended that uploading memo within the system of e-portal is necessary. This is for the
reason that it can follow as well as retrieve the necessary guidelines and develop electronic
library for capturing the training materials or the training manuals. Implementation of a
customized knowledge management system can also be considered as the IT department can
offer user manual along with suitable systems that can be aligned with departmental needs. This
can be implemented in enabling the organization in managing their wodge in better manner. The
reorganization indicated within the knowledge management system is also a major issue in the IT
solution as numerous respondents indicated that the organization must offer a platform for
employees’ anonymous knowledge. It is also recommended that the knowledge contributors
must have the right to select a real name.
In consideration to the non-IT based recommendations, the communication-based
encouragement along with company involvement is frequently explained by respondents. For
instance, it is also recommended that regarding the employees those are likely to share
knowledge set up a compensation scheme for time associated with knowledge contribution.
There are certain recommendations related with arranging several seminars, uploading such
seminar materials on online medium along with a time schedule to contribute or share knowledge

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in Knowledge management system. Certain respondents also recommended suitable ways in
standardizing work practices that considers every employee requires to requires to develop a
guidance of their work on paper along with filing them. The organizations must also place their
information and knowledge in right place before initiating any knowledge-based work. In
addition, the managers can also assign effective employees for writing down knowledge like
effective working examples along with ensuring their better storage.
4.1 Enhancing Structure of Oman Oil Company
The researchers indicated that the opinions regarding the communication length lines of
the companies. Just the head of the department that covers the knowledge management indicates
that the communication lines are decreased. The research on the Oman Oil Company indicated
that a calling culture is very quick and is waling within each other’s room at the time a question
is present as per the respondent. The lines of communication to the management as well as the
board might be decreased and for this reason the feedback knowledge is observed is observed to
be decreased. Previous researchers stated in general, employees observe it to be complex to walk
within the office of the director. Several respondents that takes the view that the communication
lines of the organizations are short.
This is also observed to be the opinion that the employee turnover in the organization is
generally small that can also be compared with the holding. The other three respondents from the
Oman Oil Company held an opposite view and all of the experiences considers that huge staff
turnover is an issue. It generally happens regularly and it is also gathered that too much internal
aspects requires being solved by the employees. It is also added that the progress reports serve as
solutions to the knowledge management issues that are regular agenda items as per the
respondents. The employee belonging to the organization departments covering the knowledge