Retention Strategies of Organizational Knowledge in Academic Institutions in Kenya: the Case of Vision Institute of Professionals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the organizational knowledge retention mechanisms in Kenyan academic institutions, namely the Vision Institute of Professionals. Specifically, the researcher will find out understanding of Knowledge Retention concept by management, identify any form of knowledge retention approach at VIP, identify technologies applied in Knowledge Retention and propose a knowledge retention framework for VIP. A review of relevant literature based on the study's goals was conducted. The descriptive research design was used in the research, and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. The study was conducted at the Vision Institute of professionals among the directors, head of departments, assistant head of departments, administration staff, and the academic staff. The study used a purposive sampling strategy to get a representative size of 30 participants from a population of 82 employees. For data gathering, the researcher used open-ended interviews and questionnaires. With ten participants, a pilot study for this topic was done at Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS). Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and displayed in tables and charts using descriptive statistical analysis of frequencies and percentages. The qualitative data was evaluated using a content data assessment approach and provided verbatim based on the identified themes from the goals. The study's results revealed that the majority of respondents had a modest degree of awareness of information retention techniques. It was further established that technologies such as websites, external hard drives and emails were used in knowledge retention. The study recommends that the institutions of higher learning should put in place enough and adaptable knowledge retention strategies for their employees.