Challenges and solutions for implementing knowledge management in knowledge-based companies supply chains

https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v7i1.2600
Published: Aug 27, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study investigates challenges in implementing knowledge management systems within supply chains of knowledge-based companies in Iran and proposes actionable solutions for effective application.

Methodology/Approach: A qualitative approach was employed, combining library studies, structured interviews with company founders, managers, and experts, and focus group discussions. A total of 182 propositions were categorized into six key themes—Financial Factors, Environmental Factors, Organizational Factors, Technology Factors, Personal Factors, and Strategic Action—and 31 subcategories.

Results/Findings: The research identified significant obstacles, including inadequate planning, insufficient training, unclear organizational roles, regional influences, political challenges, lack of awareness regarding benefits, and poor financial management. Recommended solutions include creating detailed plans, appointing dedicated roles for knowledge management, improving training, fostering adaptability, and optimizing financial management practices.

Conclusions: A systematic, proactive approach integrating strategic planning, cultural considerations, and flexible frameworks is essential for overcoming barriers. These measures enhance supply chain management and bolster competitiveness in a knowledge-driven economy.

Limitations: This study is specific to knowledge-based companies in Iran and may not reflect industries or regions with differing contexts.

Contribution: The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, academics, and practitioners aiming to optimize knowledge management implementation, supporting innovation and efficiency in supply chains.

Keywords:
1. Content Analysis
2. Focus Groups
3. Implementation Challenges
4. Knowledge-based Companies
5. Knowledge Management
6. Supply Chain
Authors:
1 . Hassan Torabi
Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 . Ali Maalmir
Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
3 . Hossein Ahmadi
Khaje Nasir Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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Torabi, H., Maalmir, A. ., & Ahmadi, H. (2025). Challenges and solutions for implementing knowledge management in knowledge-based companies supply chains . Annals of Management and Organization Research, 7(1), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v7i1.2600
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Issue & Section
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): August
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References

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    Cajková, A., Jankelová, N., & Masár, D. (2023). Knowledge management as a tool for increasing the efficiency of municipality management in Slovakia. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 21(2), 292-302. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2021.1895686

    Daghfous, A., Qazi, A., & Khan, M. S. (2021). Incorporating the risk of knowledge loss in supply chain risk management. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 32(4), 1384-1405.

    Farahanifard, S., & Adeli, O. (2019). Knowledge-based economy central role in controlling unemployment. Quarterly Journal of Fiscal and Economic Policies, 7(25), 129-150.

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    Ghorbani, S., & Khanachah, S. N. (2020). Provide a model for establishing a comprehensive knowledge management system in knowledge-based organizations based on success factors. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 2(1), 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v2i1.569

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    Philsoophian, M., Akhavan, P., & Namvar, M. (2022). The mediating role of blockchain technology in improvement of knowledge sharing for supply chain management. Management Decision, 60(3), 784-805. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-08-2020-1122

    Rojas, T., Mula, J., & Sanchis, R. (2024). Quantitative modelling approaches for lean manufacturing under uncertainty. International Journal of Production Research, 62(16), 5989-6015. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2023.2293138

    Sartori, J. T. D., Frederico, G. F., & de Fátima Nunes Silva, H. (2022). Organizational knowledge management in the context of supply chain 4.0: A systematic literature review and conceptual model proposal. Knowledge and Process Management, 29(2), 147-161.

    Shehzad, M. U., Zhang, J., Dost, M., Ahmad, M. S., & Alam, S. (2024). Knowledge management enablers and knowledge management processes: a direct and configurational approach to stimulate green innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(1), 123-152. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-02-2022-0076

    Simchi-Levi, D., Kaminsky, P., & Simchi-Levi, E. (2004). Managing the supply chain: the definitive guide for the business professional. Retrieved from

    Torabi, H., & Tahouri, H. R. (2024). The development of the production and distribution of knowledge-based apparel in Islamic Republic of RAN: Analysis of challenges and Policymaking Packages. Journal of Improvement Management, 17(4), 1-34. doi:https://doi.org/10.22034/jmi.2023.398378.2964

    Wen, P., & Wang, R. (2022). Does knowledge structure matter? Key factors influencing formal and informal knowledge sharing in manufacturing. Journal of knowledge management, 26(9), 2275-2305.

    Wong, L. W., Lee, V. H., Tan, G. W. H., Ooi, K. B., & Sohal, A. (2022). The role of cybersecurity and policy awareness in shifting employee compliance attitudes: Building supply chain capabilities. International Journal of Information Management, 66, 102520.

    Zahedi, M., Abbasi, M., & Khanachah, S. N. (2020). Providing a lean and agile supply chain model in project-based organizations. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 1(3), 213-233. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v1i3.440

    Zahedi, M. R., & Khanachah, S. N. (2020). The impact of customer assisted knowledge production capacity on customer capital in a knowledge-based center. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 1(2), 107-121. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v1i2.314

    Zahedi, M. R., & Piri, M. (2023). Evaluation chain management model with emphasis on intellectual capital using blockchain technology. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(4), 281-295. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v4i4.1616

    Zhao, J., de Pablos, P. O., & Qi, Z. (2012). Enterprise knowledge management model based on China’s practice and case study. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 324-330. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.10.001

    Zighan, S., Dwaikat, N. Y., Alkalha, Z., & Abualqumboz, M. (2024). Knowledge management for supply chain resilience in pharmaceutical industry: evidence from the Middle East region. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 35(4), 1142-1167. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-05-2022-0215

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  2. Bamel, N., Pereira, V., Bamel, U., & Cappiello, G. (2021). Knowledge management within a strategic alliances context: past, present and future. Journal of knowledge management, 25(7), 1782-1810. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-06-2020-0443
  3. Cajková, A., Jankelová, N., & Masár, D. (2023). Knowledge management as a tool for increasing the efficiency of municipality management in Slovakia. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 21(2), 292-302. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2021.1895686
  4. Daghfous, A., Qazi, A., & Khan, M. S. (2021). Incorporating the risk of knowledge loss in supply chain risk management. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 32(4), 1384-1405.
  5. Farahanifard, S., & Adeli, O. (2019). Knowledge-based economy central role in controlling unemployment. Quarterly Journal of Fiscal and Economic Policies, 7(25), 129-150.
  6. Gardeazabal, A., Lunt, T., Jahn, M. M., Verhulst, N., Hellin, J., & Govaerts, B. (2023). Knowledge management for innovation in agri-food systems: a conceptual framework. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 21(2), 303-315. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2021.1884010
  7. Ghorbani, S., & Khanachah, S. N. (2020). Provide a model for establishing a comprehensive knowledge management system in knowledge-based organizations based on success factors. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 2(1), 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v2i1.569
  8. Gökçe, F., & Pelit, E. (2023). The effect of organizational DNA on organizational agility: a study on hotel enterprises. Güncel Turizm Ara?t?rmalar? Dergisi, 7(2), 467-485. doi:https://doi.org/10.32572/guntad.1251984
  9. Golgeci, I., Makhmadshoev, D., & Demirbag, M. (2021). Global value chains and the environmental sustainability of emerging market firms: a systematic review of literature and research agenda. International Business Review, 30(5), 101857.
  10. Habib, L., & Mehzabin, M. A. (2024). Motivation for knowledge management approach and future prospects: A review of perspectives in Bangladeshi organisations. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 4(2), 127-151. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v4i2.2472
  11. Intezari, A., Taskin, N., & Pauleen, D. J. (2017). Looking beyond knowledge sharing: an integrative approach to knowledge management culture. Journal of knowledge management, 21(2), 492-515. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-06-2016-0216
  12. Irfan, I., Sumbal, M. S. U. K., Khurshid, F., & Chan, F. T. (2022). Toward a resilient supply chain model: critical role of knowledge management and dynamic capabilities. Industrial management & data systems, 122(5), 1153-1182.
  13. Kakwan, S., & Modiri, M. (2018). Ranking Solutions to Overcome Barriers to the Adoption of Knowledge Management in the Supply Chain Considering a Combined Fuzzy Decision-Making Approach (Case Study: SAPCO Company). Industrial Management Journal, 10(4), 651-676. doi:https://doi.org/10.22059/imj.2019.210043.1007088
  14. Kassaneh, T. C., Bolisani, E., & Cegarra-Navarro, J.-G. (2021). Knowledge management practices for sustainable supply chain management: A challenge for business education. Sustainability, 13(5), 2956. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052956
  15. Loon, M. (2019). Knowledge management practice system: Theorising from an international meta-standard. Journal of Business Research, 94, 432-441. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.11.02
  16. MacCarthy, B. L., Ahmed, W. A., & Demirel, G. (2022). Mapping the supply chain: Why, what and how? International Journal of Production Economics, 250, 108688. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2022.108688
  17. Nazam, M., Hashim, M., Baig, S. A., Abrar, M., & Shabbir, R. (2020). Modeling the key barriers of knowledge management adoption in sustainable supply chain. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 33(5), 1077-1109. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-09-2019-0271
  18. Neuman, W. (2000). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches: Allyn and Bacon.
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  20. Philsoophian, M., Akhavan, P., & Namvar, M. (2022). The mediating role of blockchain technology in improvement of knowledge sharing for supply chain management. Management Decision, 60(3), 784-805. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-08-2020-1122
  21. Rojas, T., Mula, J., & Sanchis, R. (2024). Quantitative modelling approaches for lean manufacturing under uncertainty. International Journal of Production Research, 62(16), 5989-6015. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2023.2293138
  22. Sartori, J. T. D., Frederico, G. F., & de Fátima Nunes Silva, H. (2022). Organizational knowledge management in the context of supply chain 4.0: A systematic literature review and conceptual model proposal. Knowledge and Process Management, 29(2), 147-161.
  23. Shehzad, M. U., Zhang, J., Dost, M., Ahmad, M. S., & Alam, S. (2024). Knowledge management enablers and knowledge management processes: a direct and configurational approach to stimulate green innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(1), 123-152. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-02-2022-0076
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  26. Wen, P., & Wang, R. (2022). Does knowledge structure matter? Key factors influencing formal and informal knowledge sharing in manufacturing. Journal of knowledge management, 26(9), 2275-2305.
  27. Wong, L. W., Lee, V. H., Tan, G. W. H., Ooi, K. B., & Sohal, A. (2022). The role of cybersecurity and policy awareness in shifting employee compliance attitudes: Building supply chain capabilities. International Journal of Information Management, 66, 102520.
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  29. Zahedi, M. R., & Khanachah, S. N. (2020). The impact of customer assisted knowledge production capacity on customer capital in a knowledge-based center. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 1(2), 107-121. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v1i2.314
  30. Zahedi, M. R., & Piri, M. (2023). Evaluation chain management model with emphasis on intellectual capital using blockchain technology. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(4), 281-295. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v4i4.1616
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  32. Zighan, S., Dwaikat, N. Y., Alkalha, Z., & Abualqumboz, M. (2024). Knowledge management for supply chain resilience in pharmaceutical industry: evidence from the Middle East region. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 35(4), 1142-1167. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-05-2022-0215