Presentation and Evaluation of Indigenous Knowledge Management Model in Makran Area

Indigenous medicine is of the most important fields of indigenous knowledge which is at risk of destruction despite its high application and the high desire of indigenous people to use it. Therefore, the current research aims to provide a model for the knowledge management of indigenous medicine. The research is of an applied type, which was carried out with a combined exploratory approach. In the qualitative part, the statistical population of the research was experts familiar with the indigenous knowledge of the Makran region. The research sample was selected using the purposive sampling method. Qualitative data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The statistical population of the quantitative part was a combination of experts in the field of indigenous medicine and professors and students of medicine faculty, including the traditional medicine faculty. The research sample was selected using stratified random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. For the analysis of quantitative data, SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) method by AMOS software was used. By analyzing the qualitative data, 64 primary codes were identified for the components of the indigenous medicine knowledge management model, which were categorized into 14 subcategories and 5 main categories. Fitting the initial research model with the SEM method showed that the knowledge management model of indigenous medicine in Makran region has a good fit. Accordingly, 5 dimensions of knowledge production, knowledge acquisition, knowledge development and sharing, knowledge transfer, and knowledge recording were presentedas the dimensions of the indigenous medicine knowledge management model of the Makran region. Considering the extremely high capacity of Makran region in indigenous medicine knowledge, the present research has provided more efficient management by providing a model for its management. In addition, the current research can be a basis for conducting further research and developing theoretical knowledge in this field, especially in the knowledge and information science field.