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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report a study which investigates some factors in the current state of knowledge management (KM) in Saudi Arabia, and to consider the relevance of the findings for KM and information sharing generally. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of Saudi Arabia private companies with a KM policy was carried out, and the issues raised were investigated further by literature analysis. Findings – Issues examined include the effect of demographics, the balance between human and digital resources, the relation between KM and organisational learning, the effect of the cultural context, the nature of reward for knowledge sharing, including enhancement of self-worth, and the relation between the personal and individual, and the collective and social. Research limitations/implications – The survey has a self-selected convenience sample, which is rather skewed demographically. The literature analysis is selective rather than comprehensive. Originality/value – Presents an analysis of some general issues of KM and information sharing through the lens of one cultural context.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/6858. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Publisher Keywords:	National cultures, Learning organizations, Saudi Arabia, Knowledge management, Information sharing
Subjects:	Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity > Media, Culture & Creative Industries > Library & Information Science
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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