Knowledge Sharing as a Powerful Base for Management: Barriers and Solutions.

Knowledge or information sharing (KIS) is an important aspect of organizational knowledge management (KM). Several factors affect the KIS process. This study investigates KM from a managerial viewpoint using a theoretical model that was developed based on a literature review conducted to evaluate KIS. This model was then tested for validity and reliability using an expert panel. Finally, an analysis was conducted on data collected from a survey of top and midlevel managers at Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education covering knowledge sharing, its barriers, and solutions. More than 90% of managers believe that the most important barriers to implementing a KIS system are limitations brought about by specialized knowledge, a culture of independent working, nonstandard processes, and a lack of a proper system for KIS. The results suggest that a successful implementation of KM initiatives depends on a careful consideration of the organizational culture, employee education levels, and previous knowledge of the benefits of KM.