Title: Knowledge Management Practices and Strategic Decision Making Quality of Government Agencies in Rivers State
Authors: Pepple, Eunice Mieadonye and Professor B. Chima Onuoha
Volume: 8
Issue: 9
Pages: 35-44
Publication Date: 2024/09/28
Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between knowledge management practices and strategic decision-making quality in government agencies within Rivers State, Nigeria. Utilizing a cross-sectional research design, the population consisted of five key agencies: Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), Rivers State Television Authority (RSTV), Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC), Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCD). Purposive sampling was employed to select 95 representatives comprising top civil servants, government appointees, and politicians involved in administrative or supervisory roles. A structured questionnaire assessed three dimensions of knowledge management practices-knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and responsiveness to knowledge, with strategic decision-making quality as the criterion variable. Of the 95 questionnaires distributed, 87 were suitable for analysis following data cleaning and validation processes. Quantitative data analysis using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient tested three hypotheses. Findings reveal statistically significant positive relationships between knowledge acquisition (r = 0.540, p < 0.01), knowledge sharing (r = 0.732, p < 0.01), responsiveness to knowledge (r = 0.900, p < 0.01), and strategic decision-making quality. These results highlight the critical role of effective knowledge management in enhancing governance effectiveness and public service delivery. The study concluded by emphasizing the importance of fostering robust knowledge management practices within government agencies to improve decision-making outcomes. Based on these findings, recommendations include investing in knowledge acquisition strategies, promoting a culture of knowledge sharing, and enhancing organizational responsiveness to new knowledge. These actions aim to cultivate a more agile and informed decision-making environment, ensuring government agencies in Rivers State can better meet their strategic objectives and serve the public effectively.