Conceptualization of Knowledge Management Offices in Academic Development Centers

This research is aimed at conceptualizing knowledge management offices in the academic development centers. Containing a descriptive nature, this research is an applied one in terms of its goals. Snowball sampling method is used to select the sample for this research. Data collection method involves in-depth interviews with scientific and academic community experts as well as the specialists and managers of the Academic Development Center of Imam Hussain Comprehensive University until reaching at theoretical saturation. A total of 20 interviews were conducted. After collecting the data, the codes for written interviews were analyzed. The validity of the interview was tested by the experts and its reliability was confirmed by the method of intra-subject agreement between the two coders. The coding method was used to analyze the research data. The results of the research, based on the selection of open, axial and selective coding, resulting in the final framework, demonstrated that the concept of knowledge management office contains 200 codes, 5 concepts and five categories. The concept of knowledge management office is formed by five categories including the goals (strategic and operational), tasks (strategies, processes, technologies, mechanisms, infrastructure and projects), roles (decision making, interpersonal and informational), competencies (technical and social), and structural arrangements (structural principles and system principles).