A Case Study on Assessing the Readiness of Professional Services Company to Build an Organizational Memory Information Systems

Abstract

The information system (IS), which supports capturing, gathering, and distribution of knowledge, is one component of organizational memory; and it is defined as an organizational memory information system (OMIS). The professional services (PS) division of an IT company, “CITE,”1 in Egypt was suffering from knowledge loss due to a high turnover rate. The objective of this case is to highlight the factors that could help “CITE” to develop an efficient OMIS service. Data were collected from the internal structure of the PS division, where all employees were interviewed in order to come up with the appropriate factors that need improvement. Based on the Organizational Memory Information System Success Model developed by Jennex, Olfman, and Pituma (1998), the research highlighted key issues that should be taken into consideration when developing an OMIS for the PS division of “CITE.” The main findings that were affecting the development of an efficient OMIS were mainly training, management of OMIS, communication, technology, and corporate culture.