Session: The Role of Leadership in Knowledge Management and government transformation LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Mhamed Biygautane, Research Associate at the Dubai School of Government June 2013 Bahrain UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE FORUM WORKSHOP 7

DSG Policy Briefs on KM LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Research methodology Knowledge Management practices in Dubai: Objective: To assesses the performance of KM programs in Dubais public sector by identifying drivers for and barriers to KM. Research methods: First, semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted in several major entities, including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Courts, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police. Second, a comprehensive survey tool was developed and administered to all government entities in Dubai, with a response rate of 66%, including those which had been previously interviewed.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Outline of the presentation 1.Worlds shift to Knowledge Economy: Implications for GCC and UAE. 2.Importance of Knowledge Management in the transition to knowledge economy. 3.The importance of leadership for the success of knowledge management programs and government transformation. 4.Enabling factors for leaders to share knowledge

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Worlds shift to Knowledge Economy: Implications for GCC and UAE Knowledge economy or society means: Productions and services are no longer based on natural sources or raw materials, yet on limitless creativity and talents of its people to produce economic value (World Economic Forum). Reliance is more on intellectual capabilities and human capital rather than physical inputs. For the UAE to achieve its Strategic Plan of 2015, this requires empowering the national workforce and all the leaders by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Worlds shift to Knowledge Economy: Implications for GCC and UAE The ranks of GCC countries: UAE and Bahrain pioneered in transferring their economies to knowledge-based compared to other Arab countries.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Worlds shift to Knowledge Economy: Implications for GCC and UAE Achievements of UAE so far and challenges ahead: The World Economic Forum ranked the UAE as the 25 th out of 139 countries in Global Competitiveness Index. UAE was the only Arab country to be classified as innovation driven economy. The implications of the financial crisis on the departure of skilled expats. Importance of creating a mechanism to capture their knowledge and transfer it to the locals.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Importance of Knowledge Management in the transition to knowledge economy GCC countries rely heavily on the knowledge and expertise of expats: UAE nearly 80%. The departure of these skills risks creates a knowledge vacuum that is hard to fill. Knowledge Management is an important mechanism that can transfer the knowledge of these expats to the national workforce. However,

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT What is Knowledge Management? The American Productivity and Quality Center provides a comprehensive definition that integrates the elements of K.M process: Knowledge Management is the systematic process of identifying, capturing, and transferring information and knowledge people can use to create, compete and improve (APQC 2000)

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT What is Knowledge Management? Decision Making (planning for action) Knowledge (information combined with judgment) Information (data put into context) Data (raw facts and numbers)

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Explicit and Tacit forms of Knowledge Sources: (Bhatt 2001, Serban and Luan 2002, Cong and Pandya 2003)

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Sources of Knowledge within Dubais Public Sector

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT The importance of transformational leadership for the success of knowledge management programs A growing body of literature proves that effective leadership is the main driver for the success of KM programs and the transition of knowledge to GCC nationals. Few researchers address the link between information and knowledge management and transformational leadership. Sharing knowledge needs to be encouraged, incentivized, inspired and facilitated. People do not easily share what they know especially in the Arab World.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Critical Factors Enabling the Success of Knowledge Management Managerial influence Leadership CoordinationControl Financial Orgt, culture Human Governmental Technological Social & economic Resource influences Environmental influen Source: Adapted from Holsapple and Joshi 2000

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Role of Leadership for KM in Dubais Public sector

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Incentives for sharing knowledge within the organization

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Important factors for improvement of KM performance

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Groups that resist KM

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT The importance of transformational leadership for the success of knowledge management programs Educate 3 rd and 4 th line employees about the significance of knowledge management and knowledge sharing for the overall success of the transition to knowledge economy. Applying models that are applicable to the culture and region of the Gulf. Leaders should consider their sense of duty as the motivator and be empowered to share knowledge and learn from others.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT The importance of transformational leadership for the success of knowledge management programs. Knowledge leaders in organizations need to: Establish a culture that appreciates and respects knowledge sharing by organizing learning activities, conversation cafes, weekly informal meetings…etc. Establish the necessary knowledge infrastructure (internal portals, social media sources, instant messaging facilities…etc, to allow employees to connect and share their knowledge. Appoint knowledge champions and officers to facilitate the capturing, documenting and sharing of knowledge.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT Thank you very much for listening!