Jennex, Murray E. (Professor)Alemu, Dejen2019-08-122023-11-182019-08-122023-11-182018-08-02http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/18762The notion of creating, capturing, and sharing of knowledge has been repetitively raised by many research, development and international donor agencies to transform the agricultural sector in Ethiopia. However, most of the current approaches to knowledge dissemination focus on knowledge that originates from the western view of scientific rationality, while overlooking the role of indigenous knowledge contained by local communities. This study aims at contributing to the discourse on how to develop and use agricultural Knowledge management system (KMS) for supporting the sharing of indigenous knowledge and seamlessly flow of it with scientific knowledge. The conceptual framework of the research is anchored in concepts drawn from the theory of situated learning in communities of practice, namely boundary object and knowledge brokering. Nevertheless, understanding concepts merely are not enough in KMS research, but system must also be implemented to test and measure the underlying concepts, thereby to ensure its sustainability. The research was further investigated to understand the design, use, and consequence of the technological artifact for enhancing knowledge sharing and integration. In building this research, the multi-methodological approach to KMS research in action research perspective was employed. Using the KMS development practice of Ethiopian agricultural transformation agency as a case study, an interpretive analysis using primary and secondary qualitative data acquired through in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and document analysis was carried out. The research result yields concepts on the roles and practices of extension agent as a knowledge broker so as to exchange knowledge among participants. The study has also identified a number of boundary objects possessed by relevant social groups. It further implicated the need of developing a shared KMS boundary object relying on concepts investigated in the roles and practices of knowledge brokers and boundary objects. The study further addresses the understanding of the KMS success dimensions including KMS quality, knowledge quality, and service quality which affect the KMS use and user satisfaction. Ultimately, the interplay of the KMS use and knowledge brokering roles has brought shared understanding among participants so as to share and integrate multiplicity of agricultural knowledge. Moreover, the interplay improved the performance of individuals and the agricultural extension system as a whole in making decision through quality knowledge. The research shall have theoretical contribution in addressing agricultural KMS development and use for the incorporation of variety of knowledge through extending the theory of situated learning in communities of practice and structuration model of technology. The research also contributes methodologically for the application of system development action research for understanding of the process conceptual framework in KMS development and use. Moreover, the research has practical implications for management and KMS developers understanding in developing strategies for the potential of a shared KMS boundary object and the roles and practices of extension agents as knowledge brokers for knowledge sharing and integration, thereby, empowering the marginalized smallholder farmers and to contribute to the overall socio-economic development.enSocial GroupsIndigenous KnowledgeKnowledge BrokeringKnowledge ManagementFarmersSystem DevelopmentBoundary ObjectKms SuccessThesis