Knowledge Management as a Tool for Improving Work Performance in Selected Law Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya: An Assessment

Abstract

Knowledge management is recognized as an important tool for sustaining competitive merit and improving performance of work. It is a means through which law firms can clout their knowledge base and intensify work performance. The assessment of knowledge management performance has become increasingly invaluable since it provides the indicator for guiding organizations to improve their work execution and competitiveness. Many law firms have no documented and planned approach to tap the organization’s knowledge and make it accessible to the staff for enhancement of service delivery.  The study was informed by the learning organization theory. The research design for this study was a descriptive and positivism case study that was analysed largely through quantitative methods with a small qualitative component. Purposive sampling design was employed to select 222 law firms, qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions from 12 key informants supported by document review. The results revealed that most of the respondents 86.5% were aware of knowledge management whereas 64.9% indicated that knowledge management contributed to their law firm’s legal practice. From the inferential statistics analysis, there was a significant relationship and influence across different attributes examined that knowledge management is a tool for improving work performance which is, p<0.05. This was also reflected in focus group discussion results. Awareness of knowledge management and contribution of knowledge management to legal practise were significant tools for improving work performance. The study recommended awareness forums for knowledge management.