KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND INNOVATIVE DECISION-MAKING AMONG OFFICE MANAGERS IN ONDO STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between knowledge management practices and innovative decision-making among office managers in the Ondo State Ministry of Education. Anchored on the Knowledge-Based View (KBV), Decision-Making Theory, and the SECI Model, the study employed a correlational research design. The population comprised 200 office managers across various departments in the Ministry. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s (2021) sample size determination table, a sample of 132 respondents was selected. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) to test the hypotheses. The findings showed a strong positive relationship between knowledge acquisition and innovative decision-making (r = 0.612, p < 0.05). The results also revealed a moderate but significant positive relationship between knowledge sharing and innovative decision-making (r = 0.547, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the analysis established a strong positive relationship between knowledge application and innovative decision-making (r = 0.681, p < 0.05). Based on these results, all null hypotheses were rejected, confirming that knowledge management practices significantly influence innovative decision-making in public institutions. The study concludes that ministries of education can improve policy implementation, adaptability, and administrative performance by institutionalizing effective knowledge practices. It recommends continuous training to enhance knowledge acquisition, promoting collaborative knowledge sharing, and leveraging digital platforms for effective knowledge application to strengthen innovative decision-making processes.