Human Resource Managers’ Lived Experiences of Integrating Knowledge Management and Human Capital M

College of Management and Human Potential
Virtual Symposium
October 27-28, 2022

Presenter:
Dr. Andrea C. Hunt

Session Description:
Organizational leaders in the U.S. are encountering significant human capital challenges with the major demographic shift in the workforce. Critical to addressing these challenges and workplace success is the hiring, retention, and management of knowledge workers, which necessitates the integration of these practices into existing human intellectual capital management (HICM) strategies. My research addressed the need for an understanding of HR managers’ experiences of the integration of these practices and strategies. The purpose of my qualitative, hermeneutic, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of a purposive sample of 16 HR managers specific to their integration of knowledge management (KM) processes with HICM strategies in professional service firms in the eastern U.S., which was also the focus of the research questions. The concepts of KM processes and HICM strategies supported the inquiry. Data were collected with semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed seven themes: (1) nature of knowledge, (2) new knowledge, (3) external influences on knowledge process integration, (4) internal influences on knowledge process integration, (5) knowledge process integration improvements, (6) knowledge process integration hindrances, and (7) knowledge process outcomes. My findings could positively impact social change by extending HR professionals’ knowledge about how these issues affect the successful integration of KM processes and HICM strategies, creating shared value, and connecting successful business practices and the health of a community.