Impact of ICT on Knowledge management in manufacturing companies in India

More than 90% of Indian manufacturing sector comprises SMEs and manufacturing today is a complex system of interrelated activities, required to deliver products that meet customer needs. The role of ICT in coordinating all the activities across the value chain, abolishing time and spatial barriers is recognised. Changing customer demands and need for personalised products and services drives the firms to be more innovative. Knowledge management emerged as a potential strategic tool for enhancing the competitiveness and innovation for organisations in the globalised business world. This paper explores the current contours of ICT use and Knowledge management practices in manufacturing companies and the impact of ICT on knowledge management practices in the respondent firms. Data is collected through a structured questionnaire and semi-formal interviews with the executives. Data is analysed using SPSS (19) and Smartpls (2) softwares and the results are discussed. It is found that despite the extensive pervasion of ICT and the realisation of its important in managing businesses, the impact of use of ICT is found to be very minimal from knowledge management perspective in Indian manufacturing SMEs.