Article Details
  • Published Online:
    October  2025
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Knowledge Management
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJKM031025
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJKM/2025.23.4.68-94
  • Author Name:
    Malla Praveen Bhasa
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Management
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    68-94
Volume 23, Issue 4, October-December 2025
Beyond Operational Efficiency: A Synthesis of KM’s Transformative Role in University Strategy
Abstract

This systematic review synthesizes empirical research from 2015 to 2025 to throw light on the transformative role of Knowledge Management (KM) as a core strategic capability in universities. Moving beyond operational efficiency, the analysis demonstrates that effective KM, encompassing creation, sharing, storage and application of knowledge, is fundamental to enhancing research innovation, pedagogical quality, administrative effectiveness and societal impact. However, implementation is hindered by deeply entrenched barriers, including cultural resistance, disciplinary silos, misaligned incentive structures and leadership deficits. The review identifies the critical success factors, the foremost among them being unwavering leadership commitment, supportive organizational culture, aligned reward systems and purposeful technology integration. Based on this synthesis, the study proposes a holistic strategic KM framework, positioning it as an indispensable driver of sustainable competitive advantage for higher educational institutions operating in an increasingly complex and demanding global environment.

Introduction

Universities stand as quintessential knowledge-intensive organizations (KIOs) functioning at the nexus of knowledge creation, dissemination, preservation and application. Their core missions of teaching and learning, research and scholarship and engagement/service to society