Adoption of mobile technology for knowledge management in manufacturing firms: a case study of Mahashakti Kenya Limited, Athi River

Abstract

Knowledge management is a field with a lot of potential that can benefit individuals as well as different types of organizations. Despite this fact, most organizations in Kenya have focused on knowledge storage, but have not adopted sharing of the stored knowledge. This study examined the adoption of mobile technology for knowledge management in Mahashakti Kenya Limited, Athi River. The study was guided by the following objectives: To assess the extent of adoption of mobile technology for knowledge management in Mahashakti Kenya Limited, Athi River to determine mobile technology platforms used for knowledge management in Mahashakti Kenya Limited, Athi River and to investigate the factors affecting the adoption of mobile technology for knowledge management in Mahashakti Kenya Limited, Athi River. The study was anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. This study employed a descriptive survey design. The study collected data from all the 52 employees at the Mahashakti Kenya Limited based on a census method. The study utilized primary data which was collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and observations. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive, correlation and regression statistics. Qualitative data on the other hand, was transcribed, coded into themes and analyzed by use of content analysis. Quantitative data was presented using charts and tables. The study found that mobile technology was used to share information remotely in the company, share timely information and share different types of information. In addition, mobile technology has been efficient in knowledge management within the company. The study also found that the organization used short message services for knowledge management, as well as multimedia messaging services, websites, installable applications, phone calls, emails, WhatsApp, skype, zoom and flash screens. The study further found that the presence of information technology infrastructure and adoption of mobile technology by competitors affected the company’s strategy of adopting the technology. However, employee and management attitude did not largely affect the adoption of mobile technology in the company. The study concluded that the extent of mobile technology adoption, mobile technology platforms and factors affecting adoption of mobile technology positively influence knowledge management in Mahashakti Kenya Limited. The study recommends integration of mobile technology to all departments where it had not been integrated, as it has been found to be essential in knowledge management in the company. The study also recommends adoption of other platforms such as SharePoint and DotNet which can enable the company share information more and widely across departments. The study finally recommends training of all employees on mobile technology, to adopt the right attitude towards the technologies used for efficient knowledge management.