Development of a conceptual model and metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of knowledge management in the process of digital business transformation using the example of consulting companies

Aleksei Alexandrovich  Arkhipov; Tatiana Kirillovna  Bogdanova

Aleksei Alexandrovich Arkhipov Graduate School of Business, HSE University, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5716-8027
Tatiana Kirillovna Bogdanova Graduate School of Business, HSE University, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0018-2946

Keywords: knowledge management, digital business transformation, consulting companies, conceptual model, performance assessment metrics, knowledge lifecycle, intellectual capital

Abstract

Knowledge management is a strategic priority for organizations in the context of digital business transformation. Consulting companies, whose activities are based on intellectual capital, are faced with a growing gap between the pace of new knowledge generation and the organizational capacity to master it. The life cycle of knowledge is shortening and traditional management models are losing their effectiveness. At the same time, there is a shortage of comprehensive studies in the scientific literature that take into account the specifics of digital business transformation and allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of models in the context of business results of organizations. The purpose of this work is to develop and empirically verify the provisions of the conceptual model of knowledge management in the process of digital business transformation using the example of consulting companies. The research methodology involves the formation of a multi-layered author’s conceptual model and the development of a structured set of metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of knowledge management in an organization. The verification of the regulations was carried out based on the results of a survey of 1,267 employees of five major Russian consulting companies, followed by analysis using descriptive statistics, contingency tables, cluster analysis (Ward’s method) and binary logistic regression. Empirical results have confirmed a statistically significant relationship between the results of digital business transformation and the effectiveness of knowledge management. The results contribute to the development of knowledge management theory in relation to the conditions of digital business transformation and can be used in the formation of strategies for the development of knowledge management systems. Specific recommendations for consulting companies have been formulated and substantiated.

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