KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AS A CHALLENGE FOR HRM: FINDINGS FROM INDIAN IT COMPANIES
Taina Savolainen, Professor, Faculty of Business & Law, University of Joensuu, Finland
Abhilasha Singh, Dr., Psychology Department, Effat College, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
The paper deals with knowledge management and presents findings from the qualitative study made in Indian IT companies. The specific aim of the paper is: to identify and discuss the issues, perspectives and challenges in managing knowledge including the role of organizational culture, leadership and trust,  and to discuss the challenges and problems faced by the professionals in Indian IT companies. The objective is to increase understanding of the issues of knowledge management and sharing knowledge in organizations. The data for the study was collected for the various phases of knowledge management – knowledge generation, acquisition, codification, knowledge transfer and application. The transformation of organizations into knowledge driven is essentially a people related issue and HR professionals play a key role in nurturing and promoting knowledge management practices. Training and education – including leadership development – performance management, supportive climate, and open culture are some of the HR processes which play a very significant role in the development of the knowledge-based enterprise. Moreover, the knowledge management system, if applied in its true sense, can work on managing psychological contract and for “lifestyle friendly working practices” (Harman & Brelade, 2000, 18).
Keywords: culture, HRM, India, IT, knowledge management, sharing, trust