The relationship between knowledge management practices and job performance among polytechnic lecturers in Selangor and the Federal Territory

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) has been widely recognised as a strategic organisational capability that supports performance, innovation, and sustainability in higher education. Within Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, polytechnic lecturers play a critical role in translating institutional knowledge into effective teaching and professional practice. However, empirical evidence on the level of KM practices and their relationship with job performance in Malaysian polytechnics remains limited. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design involving 320 full-time lecturers from four public polytechnics in Selangor and the Federal Territory. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire adapted from Kianto et al. (2016) for knowledge management practices and Koopmans et al. for job performance. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the level of KM practices, while Pearson’s product–moment correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between KM practices and job performance. The findings revealed that the overall level of knowledge management practices among polytechnic lecturers was high (M = 4.09, SD = 0.48), with consistently high scores across organisational knowledge, knowledge reliability, and communication and knowledge-sharing dimensions. Correlation analysis demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between knowledge management practices and job performance (r = 0.507, p < 0.001), indicating that higher engagement in KM practices was associated with higher levels of lecturer job performance. This study provides empirical evidence that knowledge management practices are both well-established and positively associated with job performance among Malaysian polytechnic lecturers. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening institutional knowledge systems and supportive KM environments to enhance lecturer performance within the TVET sector. By focusing on KM as an organisational practice, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on performance enhancement in higher education and offers practical insights for policymakers and institutional leaders seeking to promote sustainable academic excellence in Malaysian polytechnics.