Abstract:

Parliaments are information-driven and knowledge resource intensive institutions. Parliaments’ business is embedded in the demand for, and the use of quality information and knowledge. The impact of effective knowledge management (KM) practices in parliaments is noted as a key platform to enhance constitutional democracies. The research reviews the current KM practices and their effectiveness in the Parliament of South Africa and provides an understanding of what is working well and what is not. An exploratory research design was used in a combined approach. For the qualitative research, face-to-face structured interviews were conducted with fifteen selected senior managers to elicit their views. For the quantitative research, an on-line survey was distributed using Parliament’s staff group e-mail account. The KM practices were assessed using a KM assessment tool based on seven organisational categories: KM leadership, people and culture, KM process (knowledge use), KM practices and resources, technology, KM outcomes, and learning and innovation. The research provides valuable guidelines and key considerations for senior managers in parliaments who are contemplating KM, or are in the initial stages of implementing KM. The research further recommends how to improve KM practices in the Parliament of South Africa. Key Words: Knowledge Management Practices, Assessment Tools, Parliaments.

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