Determination of Critical Success Factors for Knowledge Management Implementation, Using Qualitative and Quantitative Tools (Case study: Bahman Automobile Industry)

The critical success factors (CSFs) of knowledge management (KM) systems are considered as areas that must be given the required attention for the successful implementation of knowledge management. In this respect and to reduce the failure risk of knowledge management projects, the current paper aims to arrive at a conceptual model by identifying and prioritizing factors for guiding research into the successful implementation of knowledge management systems. After reviewing the research literature, integration and summarization of the factors and conducting a field study, 26 indicators were found and categorized into five groups. Data were collected in two phases: a) performing semi-structured interviews; b) distribution and collection of questionnaires. The next step was data analysis. Transcripts of the interviews were coded and analysed in the qualitative phase and in the quantitative phase, a Friedman test was used for prioritization; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to confirm the factors. In conclusion, the model is proposed and suggestions are offered.