Journal of Knowledge Management

Purpose – In third world countries the subsistence of millions of persons depends on the work of organizations operating in the non-profit sector. The purpose of this paper to explore how knowledge management awareness and practices could create more efficient organizations despite their lack of human and financial resources. This paper aims to make a contribution to the knowledge management literature in the non-profit sector of third world countries. In particular, the main results from an explorative survey of Peruvian non-profit organizations are analyzed and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach – Data was generated from a questionnaire survey of 106 Peruvian organizations operating in the non-profit sector. Part of the questionnaire was inspired from an existing knowledge management acquisition cycle for non-profit organizations.

Findings – Though only medium to low levels of knowledge management awareness were found in the Peruvian non-profit sector, implicit knowledge management practices were observed on a large scale independently of the size and category of the non-profit organizations. Some organizational variables and their negative effects on knowledge management practices are discussed.

Practical implications – A guideline to increase organizational efficiency based on the development of knowledge management awareness is suggested.

Originality/value – This paper is one of the first to explore and present statistical-based results on knowledge management practices in the non-profit sector from a third world country.