Abstract

Background. Public and private sectors have different characteristics, on the other hand, there is a tendency among citizens to expect the same quality of services in public administration organisations or in the wider public sector as in privates ones. Knowledge management can certainly improve the services of the public sector. History has shown that many of the original management concepts are implemented and refined in the private sector, and they are then transferred to the public sector. The ISO quality management system is a typical example. Case studies show that after a few years of ISO application, some municipalities do not certify it any longer. Knowledge management is not subject to certification as a quality system, but evaluation and continuous improvement of the quality system caused that the elements of knowledge management are included in the quality system.

Research aims. Knowledge management is present in scientific literature on both the private and public sectors. By comparing the approaches to knowledge management among employees at different levels and in different companies it will be possible to answer the question regarding the differences in knowledge management and how they extend.

Methodology. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2014-2015 in private companies and different public organisations from various sectors located in Podlaskie Province.

Key findings. Perceptions of the degree of implementation of knowledge vary considerably between public and private organisations. The IT system plays significantly different roles in both types of organisations. The public organisations use mainly external databases and the Internet, while the companies use database management systems and superior customer support organisations and flow of knowledge. The confidence levels also vary but the differences are not as significant as in other areas. Public sector workers also acknowledge significantly greater barriers in the implementation of knowledge management.

Keywords: knowledge management, public organisations, barriers of knowledge management.

INTRODUCTION

The mode of knowledge management was top in the 90s of the last century in western countries and then in the beginning of the new millennium in Poland. A wide diverse range of seminars and conferences for academics as well as practitioners was organised and we can read many scientific papers, books, or professional papers about knowledge management.