Public management in the education sphere: Prospects for realizing human capital in the development of knowledge management technologies

Abstract

The study aims to form and test a knowledge management model for universities, which made it possible to identify the most influential factors and their relationship with knowledge management processes. The sample of the study (N = 100) included members of the administrations of the United Arab Emirates universities, senior students (graduate students) and teachers. The data were collected based on a Google Forms questionnaire (65 questions). The model includes 6 main factors: leadership, organizational culture, organizational structure, human resources, information technology, measurement and control. It is assumed that the favourable influence of these factors will contribute to the effective implementation of the knowledge management process. Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed in SPSS and EViews. The model was verified with the help of the root-mean-square error of approximation. The factors "organizational culture", "human resources", "organizational structure", as the processes of creation, storage and use of information demonstrate the highest degree of compliance (value is 0.5 and below). Internal consistency was checked by calculating Cronbach's alpha (total Cronbach alpha is 0.97). To assess the existing relationships between the processes and factors of knowledge management, an analysis of Spearman's ρ correlation was performed (confidence level is 99%). The findings of the study show that the factor "organizational culture" has the greatest impact on the process of creating knowledge, and the factor of the organizational structure considerably affects knowledge management. It has been concluded that information technology is the least influential factor in the knowledge management process. The model demonstrates that the greatest influence of the “leadership” factor can be observed in the context of the process of applying knowledge. The validity of the model makes it possible to argue that it can be used as a public policy tool for the implementation of knowledge management initiatives in universities. The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that on the basis of the model described in the study, it is possible to perform a preliminary assessment of the knowledge assets of universities in order to improve the process of knowledge transfer in education and research. The model will provide university administrations with an opportunity to identify areas for improvement in order for the knowledge management process to be more effective, which ultimately should result in the creation of human capital that meets modern needs.