A comparison Analysis of Knowledge Management Process in International and Local Non-governmental Organizations Operating in Northeast Syria
Abstract
This study examines the Knowledge Management (KM) processes within International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and Local Non-Governmental Organizations (LNGOs) operating in Northeast Syria (NES), We employ a survey methodology that comprises 34 items and measures four key KM processes: Building Knowledge, Holding Knowledge, Pooling Knowledge, and Using Knowledge. The survey was internet-based and distributed to both INGOs and LNGOs employees in NES Through a multi-stage approach utilizing volunteer and convenience sampling techniques, which achieved 101 responses. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted, including reliability tests, and mean comparisons, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for hypothesis testing. Results indicate significant differences in Building and Using Knowledge between INGOs and LNGOs, with no significant differences in holding and pooling Knowledge. Which reflected in that INGOs exhibit a top-down approach to knowledge building, emphasizing learning from managers and experts. Conversely, LNGOs favor a more grassroots approach, highlighting innovation and improvement at the individual level. The study suggests that future research should explore the practical implications of KM processes within NGOs to enhance organizational performance and mission fulfillment. Specifically, an in-depth investigation into why LNGOs lag in holding knowledge compared to INGOs.
Downloads
References
Al Ahbabi, S.A., Singh, S.K., Balasubramanian, S., & Gaur, S.S. (2018). Employee perception of impact of knowledge management processes on public sector performance. Journal of Knowledge Management, 23(2), 351-373.
Ariffin, S.N.F.S., Abidin, N.Z., Rosly, M.A., & Saihani, S.B. (2023). Factors inducing the adoption of Knowledge Management System (KMS) In SMEs, large and government organizations. What are the intercepting factors? A systematic review. Information Management and Business Review, 15(1), 140-148.
Budur, T., Abdullah, H., Rashid, C.A., & Demirer, H. (2024). The connection between knowledge management processes and sustainability at higher education institutions. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01664-4.
Cabeza-Pullés, D., Fernández-Pérez, V., & Roldán-Bravo, M.I. (2020). Internal networking and innovation ambidexterity: The mediating role of knowledge management processes in university research. European Management Journal, 38(3), 450-461.
Corfield, A., Paton, R., & Little, S. (2013). Does knowledge management work in NGOs?: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Public Administration, 36(3), 179-188.
Dalkir, K. (2023). Knowledge Management in Theory and Practice. 4th ed. United States: The MIT Press.
Donate, M.J., & Sánchez de Pablo, J.D. (2015). The role of knowledge-oriented leadership in knowledge management practices and innovation. Journal of Business Research, 68(2), 360-370.
Fan, Z., & Beh, L.S. (2024). Knowledge sharing among academics in higher education: A systematic literature review and future agenda. Educational Research Review, 42, 100573.
Girard, J., Girard, J., & Sagology. (2015). Defining knowledge management: Toward an applied compendium. Online Journal of Applied Knowledge Management, 3, 1-20.
González-Illescas, M., & Zaragoza-Sáez, P. (2023). Influence of knowledge management infrastructure on knowledge creation processes. A study in the primary sector. Heliyon, 9(9), e19536.
Grundstein, M. (2012). Three postulates that change knowledge management paradigm. In: Hou, H.T., (ed.) New Research on Knowledge Management Models and Methods. London: InTech.
Huang, L.S., Quaddus, M., Rowe, A.L., & Lai, C.P. (2011). An investigation into the factors affecting knowledge management adoption and practice in the life insurance business. Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 9(1), 58-72.
Idrees, H., Xu, J., Haider, S.A., & Tehseen, S. (2023). A systematic review of knowledge management and new product development projects: Trends, issues, and challenges. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 8(2), 100350
Jameel, A., Massoudi, A., & Agha, A. (2021). Knowledge sharing among academic staff in the higher education institutions. Cihan University-Erbil Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(1), 67-74.
Jarrahi, M.H., Askay, D., Eshraghi, A., & Smith, P. (2023). Artificial intelligence and knowledge management: A partnership between human and AI. Business Horizons, 66(1), 87-99.
Kelly, P.R. (2018). An activity theory study of data, knowledge, and power in the design of an international development NGO impact evaluation. Information Systems Journal, 28(3), 465-488.
Kuo, V. (2019). Latent Semantic Analysis for Knowledge Management in Construction. Otaniemi: Aalto University.
Massoudi, A., & Birdwood, H. (2023). Applying knowledge management processes to improve institutional performance. Cihan University-Erbil Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7(1), 1-10.
Michalová, T., & Sieber, J. (2023). Challenges and opportunities in knowledge management in the concept of industry 5.0. Liberec Economic Forum, 2023, 358-366.
Miković, R., Petrović, D., Mihić, M., Obradović, V., & Todorović, M. (2020). The integration of social capital and knowledge management - The key challenge for international development and cooperation projects of nonprofit organizations. International Journal of Project Management, 38(8), 515-533.
Nafei, W.A. (2016). Knowledge Management: The Key to Organizational Success. Available from: https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=3416395 [Last accessed on 2024 Jan 10].
Ode, E., & Ayavoo, R. (2020). The mediating role of knowledge application in the relationship between knowledge management practices and firm innovation. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 5(3), 210-218.
Oktari, R.S., Latuamury, B., Idroes, R., Sofyan, H., & Munadi, K. (2023). Knowledge management strategy for managing disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: SWOT analysis based on the analytic network process. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 85, 103503.
Ramlan, R., Omar, S.S., Chan, S.W., Yassin, A.M., & Joy, C.K. (2015). Knowledge management in NGOs: A preliminary study in Malaysia. Advanced Science Letters, 21(5), 1579-1583.
Sabherwal, R., Steelman, Z., & Becerra-Fernandez, I. (2023). Knowledge management mechanisms and common knowledge impacts on the value of knowledge at individual and organizational levels. International Journal of Information Management, 72, 102660.
Sunassee, N.N., & Sewry, D.A. (2002). A theoretical framework for knowledge management implementation. In: Proceedings of the 2002 Annual Research Conference of the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists on Enablement through Technology. p235-245. Available from: https://idisk.free.fr/.ifolder/.net/.mi7.org.uk/pdf/paper-knowledge-theory.pdf[Last accessed on 2024 Jan 10].
Tzortzaki, A.M., & Mihiotis, A. (2014). A review of knowledge management theory and future directions: Knowledge management: Theory and future directions. Knowledge and Process Management, 21(1), 29-41.
Wiig, K.M. (1993). Knowledge Management Foundations: Thinking about Thinking: How People and Organizations Create, Represent, and Use Knowledge. Arlington, TX.: Schema Press.
details/knowledgemanagem0000wiig [Last accessed on 2024 Jan 10]. Wiig, K.M. (1997). Knowledge management: An introduction and perspective. Journal of Knowledge Management, 1(1), 6-14.
Wolski, M., & Gomolińska, A. (2020). Data meaning and knowledge discovery: Semantical aspects of information systems. International Journal of Approximate Reasoning, 119, 40-57.
Yousif, N.B.A., Grondys, K., Gad, S., & Elsayed, W. (2020). Knowledge management in non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Administratie Si Management Public, 1(35), 90-108.
Zhang, W., Jiang, Y., Zhou, W., & Pan, W. (2022). Antecedents of knowledge seeking intentions and efforts within new product development teams: Empirical evidence from knowledge-based Chinese companies. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27, 356-382.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nechirvan A. Othman, Bartok I. Istivan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0] that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).