Public Administration Perspective

Original Article Designing a Knowledge Development Model for Employees in Knowledge-Based Organizations Using the Fuzzy TISM Method

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Assistant Prof, Management faculty, Lorestan university, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 PhD student. in public Administraion, Faculty of Management, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract

Purpose: Due to environmental changes and increased global competition, managers have paid more attention to the issue of employee knowledge development. Organizations with capable, committed, skilled, and motivated employees will be better able to adapt to change and outperform the competition. Employee knowledge development creates a sense of trust, increased energy, pride, commitment, and self-reliance among individuals and also increases participation in organizational affairs, ultimately leading to improved performance. Therefore, this research aims to design a model for employee knowledge development in knowledge-based organizations using the fuzzy interpretive structural modeling method.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The present study is mixed in terms of data type and is based on qualitative-quantitative research, classified as inductive-deductive in terms of research philosophy. Therefore, the present study is applied in terms of purpose and is classified as exploratory research in terms of information collection. The statistical population of the present study of experts includes professors of Lorestan University and senior managers of knowledge-based companies in Lorestan province, of whom 25 people were selected as sample members using purposive sampling and based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Regarding the criteria for selecting experts, it should be noted that, given that the subject of the study is designing a knowledge development model for employees in knowledge-based organizations, people should be used who are familiar with this phenomenon from a theoretical and practical perspective and also have the necessary information and knowledge to answer interview questions and questionnaires. On the other hand, they should have extensive work experience in knowledge-based organizations and education related to the subject of the study. Accordingly, and to the extent of achieving theoretical adequacy, 25 professors of Lorestan University and senior managers of knowledge-based companies in Lorestan province participated in the data collection process. The data collection tool in the qualitative section is a semi-structured interview, and in the quantitative section, it is a questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were examined and confirmed using content and theoretical validity, and intra- and inter-coder reliability for the interviews, respectively. It is necessary to explain that, since the present study is a mixed-methods study with an exploratory approach, a qualitative study must be conducted first. After that, a quantitative study must be conducted. Therefore, the qualitative data were examined using the opinions of 25 experts to the point of information saturation, thereby achieving theoretical adequacy. The qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA software, and the quantitative results using the fuzzy whole interpretive structural modeling method.
Research Findings: The findings of this study indicate that the institutionalization of a learning organizational culture in the organization, the dominance of a knowledge-based leadership style in the organization, the effective design and implementation of the onboarding system in the organization, the use of human resources knowledge architecture in the organization, including the platforms for employee knowledge development, as well as the use of knowledge auditing in the organization, the establishment of future-oriented career path management in the organization, the effective leverage of organizational memory, the implementation of a mentoring and coaching program in the organization, are among the intervening and correlated factors in employee knowledge development, as well as the mental development and empowerment of employees, the dynamics of knowledge in the organization, the emergence of knowledge workers in the organization, technocracy in the organization, including the dimensions of employee knowledge development, and finally, the ability of critical thinking in employees, increasing the skills of creative thinking and innovation in employees, improving the capacity of organizational intelligence, and the formation of human resource flexibility in the organization, are among the consequences of employee knowledge development.
Limitations & Consequences: Given the purpose and type of research, which required the use of interviews and expert opinions, this involved limitations in sample size and difficulty accessing experts, as well as the possibility of bias in answering questions and in presenting and recording findings. Another limitation of the research was that it was conducted within a specific time period, thus reflecting the respondents' opinions within that timeframe.
Practical Consequences: The findings of this study can encourage managers to emphasize the role of knowledge and learning within their organizations and shift organizational culture toward continuous learning and innovation. Managers can also implement knowledge development approaches more purposefully and ensure that their investment has the highest return.
Innovation or value of the Article: This study is the first in the country to present a model of employee knowledge development in knowledge-based organizations using the TISM method. Also, by transforming an abstract concept into an implementable, step-by-step process, this study helps managers determine which knowledge competencies they should have in the future, what level current employees are at, and which mechanisms to use to fill this gap. Also, they design career paths that directly cultivate the skills the organization will need in the future, thereby providing the basis for employees' growth and development.
Paper Type: Original Paper

Keywords

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Public Administration Perspective
Volume 17, Issue 1 - Serial Number 65
March 2026