UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Journal Article Critique
665781
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Ndiege, J. & Backhouse, J. (2021). Knowledge management in local governments in
developing countries: a systematic literature review. VINE Journal of Information
and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.
Introduction
Knowledge management in local governments in developing countries: a systematic
literature review is an article by Joshua Ndiege and Judy Backhouse. The article is focused on
examining Knowledge management in developing countries: a review of the literature on the
topic, with a focus on themes that have been explored and key research gaps that can shape a
future research agenda. For this study, a systematic literature evaluation was conducted using
materials published between 2009 and 2019. This critical evaluation will be focused on
assessing the authors success in creating research of how local governments in poor nations
manage information, including a thorough examination of the literature to determine what has
been explored and where more research is needed.
Summary
Knowledge management is becoming increasingly important as the primary economic
resource shifts from capital to knowledge in the knowledge-based economy. Studies on
knowledge management, on the other hand, have tended to favor the private sector. It stresses
the importance of knowledge management in local government because this sector is both a
major producer and consumer of knowledge. There is constant social pressure on local
governments to enhance their efficiency and quality of service delivery while working with
limited resources. As a result, it's more difficult to implement knowledge management in
local governments than in the private sector. Many factors have been cited for this, including
difficulties in assessing organizational goals, political influences and specific organizational
structures that hinder knowledge management in government sectors. There were three goals
in mind when writing this article: first, to determine how much research there is on local
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governments across the world, and second, to identify what are the main themes (research
trends) that have been covered so far in this area of knowledge management research in
developing countries.
Critical Evaluation
Dr. Joshua Rumo Arongo Ndiege has been working in higher education for more than
16 years. Several of his publications have been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in
academic journals or at professional conferences. He also serves as a peer reviewer for
academic publications. Judy Backhouse is a Senior Academic Fellow and chief researcher at
The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance.
Both form a well-educated and knowledgeable pair of researchers that was needed to carry
out this study.
The article is objective. The reliance on multiple sources allows the authors to come
to an unbiased conclusion as evidenced through the resolution that there is a need for deeper
comprehension of how knowledge management grows in local governments in developing
countries. The objectivity of the article is further enhanced through the use of a structured
literature method. As a result, the information presented is transparent. The authors utilized
appropriate methods to gather evidence. The methodology utilized is clear and highlights the
overall process utilized that eliminates ambiguities or inconsistencies in the data gathered.
Hence, it can be assumed that the study is reliable.
The objectives set were achieved. In this case, the authors established that the local
government is both a huge producer and a major consumer of knowledge, making effective
management of that knowledge a top priority. Their argument builds on previous research by
Gimutao, Paula, & Dagli (2011) that established government agencies at the national,
regional, and local levels need better knowledge management (KM) because they are
knowledge-based organizations.
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The authors are successful in making their point. This is achieved through the overall
structure of the discussion where the authors effectively breakdown the research process for
each objective and their findings. In relation to the application of knowledge management, it
is established that there is an increasing appreciation in the public sector among developing
nations. The paper also stresses the importance of authors diversifying their knowledge
management expertise. The article builds on previous research by Ndiege (2009) that sought
to assess Knowledge management practices and systems in county governments in
developing countries: Perspectives from selected counties in Kenya. For the purposes of this
case, it is a success in raising awareness about how current local conditions impede the
efficient application of knowledge management approaches and systems.
The structure of the article is effective in highlighting existing issues in the subject
being discussed. Hence, it is easier to establish effective recommendations. The authors
breakdown each objective into quantifiable outcomes that enhance the overall flow of the
paper. Additionally, the article enhances understanding of key ideas and theories. The authors
successfully achieve this by highlighting the shortcomings in the reviewed sources and
offering effective solutions to enhance the field of study.
Conclusion
Overall, the article is successful in offering research of how local governments in poor
nations manage information, including a thorough examination of the literature to determine
what has been explored and where more research is needed. This is mainly achieved by the
fact that the conclusions are drawn from previous studies and their shortcomings. As a result,
the authors were able to come to a conclusion that government departments need to have
good systems in place for managing their knowledge. For example, knowledge management
can have a positive impact on the renewal process of government sectors and improve
efficiency.
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References
Gimutao, K., Paula, B., & Dagli, W. (2011). Knowledge Management And The Corporate
Nature Of Local Governance: A Case Study From The Philippines. International
Conference on Knowledge Management and Information Sharing, 363-368.
Ndiege, J. (2019). Knowledge management practices and systems in county governments in
developing countries: Perspectives from selected counties in Kenya. VINE Journal
of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 49(3), 420-439.
Ndiege, J. & Backhouse, J. (2021). Knowledge management in local governments in
developing countries: a systematic literature review. VINE Journal of Information
and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.
Wang, D. (2017) Local Governance and Local Knowledge. Open Journal of Business and
Management, 5, 415-419.
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