Abstract:
Nowadays knowledge and Knowledge Management has become an important role in the
competitiveness of the higher learning institutions. Through an efficient KM implementation
organizations can tap the real benefits of knowledge usage. A knowledge management Maturity
Model can help organizations identify the progress of Knowledge Management and
improvements to be made. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge management
maturity in selected public university libraries in Ethiopia using General Knowledge
Management Maturity Model (G-KMMM). This study also involves critical success
factors/barriers for implementation of KM. The methodology employed to conduct this study
was survey research and the respondents‟ drawn from Addis Ababa, Dilla and Wolkite
Universities, which comprised of library staffs. Simple random sampling method was used to
select samples from study population. Data for the study was collected through questionnaire. A
research survey method using questionnaire was distributed to 244 library staffs of the university
of which 225 (92.2%) were returned and usable for data analysis. The results indicate that, the
universities wide KM maturity level for the KM maturity dimension on people was at Awareness
level (average score=60%), and on process and technology at Initial level (average score=56%
and 58%) respectively. The findings and context of this study indicates that, as a whole, the
current knowledge management maturity level at the selected public university is lowest maturity
level. This study proposed the roadmaps the three university libraries perspective: roadmaps that
allow KM developments to be integrated with KM improvement. This study utilizes G-KMMM
in assessing the university libraries KM maturity level through quantitative survey. Analysis of
this research shows the different maturity level for each type of university libraries and future
study to see the relation with the organization performance and integrated with the information
technology.
