The moderating effect of Islamic work ethics on the relationship between knowledge management capabilities and organizational performance at the private higher education institutions in Oman

Abstract

Knowledge management capabilities are recognized as an important means for sustaining and improving organizational performance of the private higher education institutions. The evaluation of knowledge management infrastructure capabilities and knowledge management process capabilities has become important since it provides a reference for directing the private higher education institutions to enhance their organizational performance. The Islamic work ethics may have a moderating effect on the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure capabilities, knowledge management process capabilities and organizational performance. This paper provides an understanding of relationship between knowledge management infrastructure capabilities, knowledge management process capabilities, organizational performance and the Islamic work ethics. Additionally, it provides a new framework that helps the private higher education institutions to assess their knowledge management infrastructure capabilities, knowledge management process capabilities, organizational performance and the Islamic work ethics. The research findings showed that the level of knowledge management infrastructure and process capabilities at the private higher education institutions was high, and indicated that the knowledge management process capabilities had a positive significant causal effect relationship with organizational performance, however the research findings showed that the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure capabilities with organizational performance had a non-significant causal effect. Finally, the Islamic work ethics had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure and process capabilities and organizational performance.