Application of knowledge management systems in Malaysian oil palm plantations' supply chain

Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman and Mohd Ghazali Mohayidin

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2011, vol. 5, issue 1, 104-121

Abstract: Vertically integrated firms are streamlining activities in their supply chain by using knowledge management systems (KMS). Effective KMS need suitable combination of organisational and managerial initiatives and the use of suitable information technologies. Malaysian oil palm plantations have been recognised as leaders in technology development and adoption. KMS in the plantations started with the use of computerised inventory management systems. Subsequently, the plantation companies applied KMS to integrate various functions, including sourcing raw materials, production and support activities. This paper explores to what extent oil palm plantations have used KMS in managing their supply chain primary and support activities and how effective it is in increasing performance. Results of the study showed the plantation managers agreed that KMS have contributed significantly in improving the plantations' performance. However, greater use of existing KMS and adopting a more advanced IT will further improve performance at all stages of the supply chain.

Keywords: knowledge management; KM; SCM; supply chain management; ICT; information technology; communications technology; primary activities; support activities; oil palms; plantations; Malaysia; raw materials; vertical integration; vertically integrated firms; streamlining; organisational initiatives; managerial initiatives; technology development; technology adoption; inventory management; computerised systems; inventories; increased performance; plantation managers; agriculture; business; systems research. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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