The Relationship Between Knowledge Management Culture and the Performance of Knowledge Management in the Singapore Police Force: A Critical Realist Approach Edward Tan Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Business School October 2020 The copyright in this thesis is owned by the author. Any quotation from the thesis or use of any of the information contained in it must acknowledge this thesis as the source of the quotation or information. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF FIGURES .................................................................................................... v GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................... vii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. viii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ x DECLARATION STATEMENT .................................................................................. xi CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 1.1 Research Background, Rationale and Significance ............................................ 1 1.2 Problem Statement ............................................................................................. 3 1.3 Research Question, Aim and Objectives ............................................................ 4 1.4 Research Methodology ....................................................................................... 5 1.5 Outline of the Thesis .......................................................................................... 6 1.6 Summary ............................................................................................................ 8 CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS ................................... 9 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 9 2.2 Data, Information, and Knowledge .................................................................... 9 2.3 Knowledge Dimensions and Processes ............................................................ 13 2.3.1 Tacit and Explicit Knowledge ................................................................... 13 2.3.2 The Spiral of Knowledge ........................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Knowledge-How and Knowledge-That ..................................................... 18 2.3.4 Organisational Knowledge and Knowing ................................................. 19 2.4 Knowledge Management Definitions ............................................................... 21 2.5 Knowledge Management in Policing ............................................................... 23 2.5.1 Manage Explicit Knowledge of Police Work ............................................ 24 2.5.2 Manage Tacit Knowledge in Police Work ................................................ 29 2.6 Influencing Factors of Knowledge Management Implementation ................... 31 2.6.1 Identification and Management of Knowledge ......................................... 35 2.6.2 Organisational Culture ............................................................................. 41 2.6.3 Human Resource Management ................................................................. 53 i 2.6.4 Innovation and Collaboration ................................................................... 59 2.6.5 Use of Technology ..................................................................................... 65 2.7 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................... 68 2.8 Summary .......................................................................................................... 70 CHAPTER 3 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...................................................... 72 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 72 3.2 Identification and Justification of Methodology and Paradigm Selection ....... 74 3.3 Data Source and Sample Selection ................................................................... 86 3.3.1 Data Source ............................................................................................... 87 3.3.2 Sample Frame ........................................................................................... 88 3.3.3 Sample Size ............................................................................................... 92 3.3.4 Participants’ Demographics ..................................................................... 95 3.4 Research Instruments: Selection and Justification ......................................... 100 3.4.1 Semi-Structured Interview ....................................................................... 101 3.4.2 Document Review .................................................................................... 104 3.5 Analytical Process/Tool Selection and Justification ...................................... 104 3.5.1 Data Collection ....................................................................................... 107 3.5.2 Data Reduction........................................................................................ 109 3.5.3 Data Presentation ................................................................................... 110 3.5.4 Conclusion Drawing ............................................................................... 114 3.6 Research Ethics .............................................................................................. 118 3.7 Summary ........................................................................................................ 119 CHAPTER 4 – RESEARCH FINDINGS ................................................................. 122 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 122 4.2 Knowledge Management Context in the SPF ................................................ 124 4.2.1 Purposes of Knowledge ........................................................................... 124 4.2.2 Familiarity with Knowledge Management Processes ............................. 125 4.2.3 Knowledge Management Activities ......................................................... 126 4.3 Knowledge Management Culture ................................................................... 127 4.3.1 Perception of Knowledge Management Culture ..................................... 128 4.3.2 Motivation Towards the Practice of Knowledge Management ............... 129 4.4 Job Rotations and Knowledge Management .................................................. 132 ii 4.4.1 Influencing Factors of Job Rotations Towards Knowledge Management 132 4.4.2 Job Rotations and Knowledge Continuity ............................................... 133 4.5 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing .......................................................... 136 4.5.1 Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders ............................................... 136 4.5.2 Collaboration with External Stakeholders .............................................. 137 4.5.3 Knowledge Collaboration Challenges .................................................... 139 4.6 Technology and Knowledge Management ..................................................... 141 4.7 Summary ........................................................................................................ 142 CHAPTER 5 - DISCUSSION .................................................................................... 144 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 144 5.2 Knowledge Management Context in the SPF ................................................ 144 5.2.1 Purposes of Knowledge ........................................................................... 144 5.2.2 Familiarity with Knowledge Management Processes ............................. 146 5.2.3 Knowledge Management Activities ......................................................... 148 5.3 Knowledge Management Culture ................................................................... 149 5.3.1 Perception of Knowledge Management Culture ..................................... 150 5.3.2 Motivation Towards the Practice of Knowledge Management ............... 153 5.4 Job Rotations and Knowledge Management .................................................. 158 5.4.1 Influencing Factors of Job Rotations on Knowledge Management ........ 159 5.4.2 Job Rotations and Knowledge Continuity ............................................... 160 5.5 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing .......................................................... 165 5.5.1 Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders ............................................... 166 5.5.2 Collaboration with External Stakeholders .............................................. 167 5.5.3 Knowledge Collaboration Challenges .................................................... 168 5.6 Technology and Knowledge Management ..................................................... 171 5.7 Research Implications ...................................................................................