Development of a Model of Knowledge Management in an Education System to Promote Food Industry Business for the World’s Kitchen

Abstract

     The purposes of this research were to: 1) investigate elements affecting a development of a knowledge management model in an education system to promote a food industry business for the world’s kitchen, 2) develop the knowledge management model in an education system to promote a food industry business for the world’s kitchen, and 3) create a manual for the development of the knowledge management model in an education system to promote a food industry business for the world’s kitchen. This study was a mixed methods approach, qualitative and quantitative, using the Delphi technique. It was divided into two parts. For Part 1, qualitative approach, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used. Twenty-one people with food experiences and knowledge were interviewed. These interviewees were executives in a food industry, executives in educational institutions, and experts who have knowledge, skills, and experiences related to a management of food manufacturing factories. For analyzing the qualitative data, a content analysis was used. For Part 2, quantitative approach, a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect the data from the same sample of the qualitative approach. The quantitative data was analyzed using statistical methods such as percentage, median, interquartile range, and standard deviation.

     The research’s results showed that the elements affecting a development of a knowledge management model in an education system to promote a food industry business for the world’s kitchen included nine elements which were divided into three areas. The first area, potentials of instructors, was 1) preparation in teaching, 2) knowledge transfer, and 3) activity. The second area, organizational policy, was 1) preparation in knowledge, 2) student support, and 3) instructor support. The third area, knowledge management, was 1) agriculture and technology, 2) business, and 3) law.

     All experts of focus group discussions agreed with the model of knowledge management in an education system to promote a food industry business for the world’s kitchen. Moreover, the manual for the model of knowledge management was created. The manual was evaluated by five experts who agreed that it was the most suitable and can be used for knowledge management in an education system.