Designing a Knowledge Network Model of Research Institute of Petroleum Industry

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to design a research network model of Research Institute of Petroleum Industry.

Method: This study is applied in terms of the target type, and based on approach, is a hybrid research method. In this research, a semi-structured interview was used to collect the required data on the modeling of the model, and a questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. In the qualitative method, semi-structured interviews have administrated to 9 managers and experts of the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry who selected through purposeful sampling. Thematic analysis method was used for analysis the interviews and explanation of related dimensions and components. Then, 226 key projects managers were asked to answer a number of specific questions to collect quantitative data.

Findings: According to the data analysis, 9 dimensions of the knowledge network (the strategic dimension, structure, background, environmental factors, and knowledge sharing culture, the content of knowledge network, infrastructure, motivation, and mission) identified. The variance of exploratory factor analysis of 75% showed that 9 factors of knowledge network constitute the Petroleum Industry Research Institute. Based on the identification of the dimensions of the knowledge network, its initial model depicted. The results of confirmatory factor analysis also indicated that each of the nine dimensions of the knowledge network has a very favorable overall yield of between 0.77 and 0.61, and the model has fit.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the multidimensional nature of the knowledge network of the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry has linked to the mental models of the interviewees and in joint action, has led to the successful knowledge management at the research institute. The results of the research for the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry provide the opportunity for the managers of the organization to prevent the damage caused by the failure of the plans by the adoption of solutions for the creation or reform of the infrastructure due to the weakness of each of the factors.

Keywords: Knowledge, Knowledge Network, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry

DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-2-02