An Enabler Framework for Developing Knowledge Management Practices: Perspectives form Nigeria

Background: Palm oil production in Nigeria has scope for massive improvements, regardless of Nigeria’s position as a dominant producer. Palm oil from Nigeria is banned in certain countries because of a lack of standards. The majority of palm oil producers are indigenous farmers who tend to use traditional practices to extract the product. While palm oil production conducted traditionally is cleaner, indigenous farmers need more workforce and mechanized machinery to extract their oil in bulk supply.

Objectives: This research aims to highlight palm oil producers’ indigenous knowledge management practices and specifically explore how the information is created, stored and disseminated compared with contemporary producers.

Method: A qualitative research approach involving 40 participants who were purposively drawn was used to investigate the indigenous knowledge management and contemporary knowledge management practices related to palm oil extraction in Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha of Edo State, Nigeria, using Lee and Choi’s 2003 enabler framework.

Results: The study identified areas of convergence and divergence in the knowledge management practices of indigenous and contemporary farmers using the enabler framework.

Conclusion: Using the enabler framework to highlight knowledge management practices that need improvement is novel and provides a starting point for indigenous producers to improve their knowledge management practices.

Contribution: The investigation of the enabler framework extends current theorization by providing contextual insights into how each framework component is collectively organized to support organizational outcomes.