Knowledge management approaches in managing agricultural indigenous and exogenous knowledge in Tanzania.
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Date
2010-08-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the application of knowledge management (KM)
models in managing and integrating indigenous and exogenous knowledge for improved farming
activities in Tanzania, by examining the management of indigenous knowledge (IK), access and use of
exogenous knowledge, the relevance of policies, legal framework, information and communication
technologies (ICTs), and culture in KM practices in the communities.
Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative and
quantitative data from 181 farmers in six districts of Tanzania. Four IK policy makers were also
interviewed.
Findings – The study demonstrated that western-based KM models should be applied cautiously in
a developing world context. Both indigenous and exogenous knowledge was acquired and shared in
different contexts. IK was shared within a local, small and spontaneous network, while exogenous
knowledge was shared in a wide context, where formal sources of knowledge focused on
disseminating exogenous knowledge more than IK. Policies, legal framework, ICTs and culture
determined access to knowledge in the communities. The study thus developed a KM model that
would be applicable in the social context of developing countries.
Research limitations/implications – The study necessitates testing the developed model against
existing KM models, in a specific context such as local communities of the developing world, to
determine whether it is better at explaining the link between KM principles and KM processes.
Originality/value – The proposed KM model provides a deep understanding of the management
and integration of agricultural indigenous and exogenous knowledge in the rural areas of developing
countries. Previous KM models were developed in the context of an organizational environment, and
thus failed to address the needs of rural communities. The proposed model thus advances the theory of
KM in developing countries, and provides linkages between KM processes and KM principles.
Description
PRACTICAL FOR LEARNING
Keywords
Knowledge management, Agriculture, Tanzania, Developing countries, Farms
Citation
DOI 10.1108/00220411111124523