Using an AHP paradigm for assessing the performance of knowledge management practices in, manufacturing organizations

Development of performance metrics for knowledge management (KM) began in recent years and these metrics are being applied by leading organizations. Many researchers and practitioners argue that well-defined KM attributes would help organizations to develop specific measures to monitor their performance. This paper discusses the key performance attributes related to KM practices, and proposes an analytical paradigm that aligns the KM performance measures in manufacturing organizations. An empirical study was conduced incorporating a series of personal interviews of industry practitioners based in Trinidad and Tobago. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology, a generic self-assessment KM model with five categories of KM metrics (namely senior management leadership, KM processes, people development, continuous development, and results orientation) was identified. A scoring mechanism was developed to assist organizations in self-assessments of their KM performance on an ongoing basis. The AHP findings provide a pragmatic insight for practitioners to integrate KM practices and performance measurement. Future research would examine empirically the efficacy and applicability of the self-assessment KM model in both public and private sector organizations across different industries.