Information and communication technologies in knowledge management in higher education institutions in Latin America

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the knowledge management (KM) tools and practices that facilitate the daily activities of the personnel working in academic institutions in Latin America. The research design is quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, and Ex post facto. The sample was intentional, was non-probabilistic and conformed by 374 participants. Results show that the most used tools and practices are online learning modalities, mobile technology, exchange networks, electronic mail, personal page, teleconference, digital signatures for official documents, conference room, learning systems based on the Web, task force, sharing experiences, web-based coaching and mentoring and communities of practice under the Internet and Intranet as support platforms. It is concluded that, regardless of the existence of a KM system, ICTs play a fundamental role in the KM process among staff working in Latin America academic institutions.