Knowledge management considerations in learning management systems in higher education institutions: a systematic review, synthesis and research agenda

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the state of research on the symbiotic relationship between knowledge management and learning management systems in advancing the mutual strategic agenda of the two initiatives in higher education institutions (HEIs), so as to uncover the themes that have been studied, identify gaps in the existing studies and suggest future areas of research work.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted systematic literature review (SLR), in which 64 articles published between 2010 and 2022 were identified and analyzed.

Findings

Whereas the review revealed some focus areas that have been researched, it also found that only few studies have explicitly explored the symbiotic relationship between knowledge management and learning management systems, with fewer articles exploring this relationship finding their way to mainstream journals. Thus, the findings showed that examination of the interlink between knowledge management and learning management systems in HEIs is still less explored and has multiple possibilities for future research with potential benefits to the higher education industry.

Originality/value

Although different SLRs exist separately in the fields of knowledge management and learning management systems, there seem to be no reviews on the interconnection between the two fields in the context of HEIs. Additionally, this review offers insights into future research avenues for theory, content and context of interplay between knowledge management and learning management systems in HEIs.

Citation

Omanyo, J.O. and Ndiege, J.R. (2023), "Knowledge management considerations in learning management systems in higher education institutions: a systematic review, synthesis and research agenda", VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-09-2022-0305