Studying the Knowledge Management Components from Viewpoint of the Faculty Members: A Study at the Dezful University of Medical Sciences in Southwest Iran

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Production, distribution and application of knowledge are considered as the most institutionalized element and raison d'être of universities and higher education institutions, and the knowledge is recognized as the main output of universities. Therefore, this research examines the components of knowledge management from the point of view of the faculty members of Dezful University of Medical Sciences in southwestern Iran.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This descriptive research was conducted in 2018. The statistical population of this research included all faculty members of Dezful University of Medical Sciences in southwest of Iran. Finally, 43 members of them completed questionnaires. The Knowledge Management Standard Questionnaire (Conrad and Newman) has been used to collect information. Descriptive and inferential statistics as well as SPSS version 22 were used to analyze the data.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> According to the results of the research, the scores of different components of knowledge management were evaluated to be moderate as follows: knowledge creation (21.5 ± 3.8), knowledge preservation (15.8 ± 3.8), knowledge transfer (11.5 ± 3.3), and knowledge application (12.1 ± 3.5). Also, age, educational level, academic rank and experience had no effect on their knowledge management, but male faculty members had higher knowledge management than female faculty members (P = 0.019).<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The various components of knowledge management among faculty members were moderate according to our evaluation, which, given the 8-year activity of this university, is relatively "desirable"; it is necessary that this potential of knowledge management