Identification of the factors affecting KMS adoption and utilization for the technical training process : A single-case study within heavy industry

Abstract: The intensifying value of learning, competence, and knowledge motivates decisions toward implementing knowledge management systems (KMS) to capitalize on the potential benefits of facilitating knowledge sharing, collecting, storing, and dissemination on a global scale. However, these systems frequently remain underutilized, and organizations encounter obstacles to achieve their proposed outcome. The case company experienced practical problems regarding a newly implemented KMS. The system was largely unused for a specific process. Therefore, this case study investigates the factors affecting KMS adoption and utilization for the technical training process by capturing the perspectives of the intended system users and management. A combination of KMS success factors and The Theory of Affordances were applied to generate knowledge regarding how factors affected the usage of the KMS. It was found that Management Involvement, Organizational Culture and Structure, Employee Commitment, Perceived Benefits, System Complexity, and Compatibility and Conformity influenced the users' KMS utilization outcomes. A conceptual framework was developed to show how these factors affected individuals' affordances process.