Designing a Knowledge Management Framework for the Sustainability and Long-Term Development of Businesses Using the Delphi Technique

Purpose: The primary objective of This study examines knowledge management in relation to the sustainability and long-term development of businesses, with a particular focus on women-owned enterprises, and designs a comprehensive knowledge management framework using the Delphi technique. Knowledge management is a critical driver of organizational success, enabling businesses to leverage internal and external knowledge to achieve competitive advantage, innovation, and operational efficiency. In a dynamic business environment, organizations that effectively implement knowledge management practices are better equipped to respond to market changes, technological advancements, and evolving customer demands. Businesses are increasingly significant contributors to the national economy but face unique challenges, including limited access to financial resources, insufficient market networks, and barriers to professional training and mentorship. This study aims to identify modern tools, methods, and techniques of knowledge management that enhance organizational performance, foster innovation, and strengthen sustainability. Beyond assessing the impact of knowledge management practices, this study explores how these practices influence long-term business growth and resilience. Specifically, this study evaluates how knowledge management supports sustainable development by facilitating knowledge creation, dissemination, utilization, and retention. It investigates how businesses can capture valuable knowledge from employees, particularly key personnel, and transform it into actionable strategies that improve productivity, innovation, and market competitiveness of the company. The central goal is to propose a practical and actionable framework grounded in real-world organizational conditions that supports continuous improvement and sustainable growth. This study also addresses the gaps in the literature. While many studies focus on large organizations, fewer examine SMEs, particularly women-owned enterprises, which represent a growing and important economic segment. By focusing on this group, this study provides context-specific insights to guide policymakers, business leaders, and knowledge management practitioners in implementing effective strategies. The developed framework serves as a roadmap for organizations seeking to leverage knowledge assets to achieve strategic objectives, improve business processes, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach: This applied qualitative study employs a descriptive-analytical approach to understand complex organizational processes. The Delphi survey technique was used to gather expert insights and develop the knowledge management framework, as it allows for iterative rounds of feedback and consensus-building among experts. In the first stage, key components, indicators, and constructs were identified through an extensive review of the academic literature, industry reports, and case studies. These were structured into a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, capturing both quantitative and qualitative expert perspectives. The statistical population included 30 experts and professors in knowledge management, business management, and entrepreneurship, selected through purposive sampling to ensure their sufficient expertise. The questionnaire covered 11 major components and 128 items, including the objectives of knowledge utilization, information technologies, human resources, knowledge sharing, knowledge development, and evaluation. External factors—individual, organizational, governmental, economic, and socio-environmental—were also incorporated to capture the multidimensional nature of knowledge management in supporting sustainability. Validity and reliability were confirmed through expert review and Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive and inferential statistics to identify the trends and critical components. Multiple iterative rounds of the Delphi method ensured that the final framework reflected the most impactful knowledge management practices for female-owned businesses.
Findings: The findings identified key components crucial to knowledge management and sustainability of women-owned businesses. These include the objectives of knowledge utilization, application of information technology, human resource management, systematic knowledge sharing, knowledge development, and continuous evaluation. External factors, such as individual capabilities, organizational culture, governmental policies, economic conditions, and socio-environmental influences, significantly shape the effectiveness of knowledge management initiatives. Knowledge management is a central mechanism for promoting sustainability and growth, enabling the systematic capture, organization, and application of knowledge. This enhances operational efficiency, supports informed decision-making, and creates a long-term value. Among the specific objectives, improving organizational productivity (average rating 4.30), fostering innovation and creativity, transferring employee experiences, and enhancing market competitiveness (average rating 4) were prioritized. These results demonstrate that organizations view knowledge management not only as an efficiency tool but also as a strategic asset for growth and competitiveness. This study also highlights the importance of building long-term relationships with customers, preserving and developing human capital, adapting to market changes, and fostering strong leadership. The integration of knowledge management with advanced technologies, systematic documentation, and retention of key employees were identified as essential strategies for enhancing business processes and cultivating a learning culture. Knowledge sharing, facilitated through regular meetings, workshops, and collaborative platforms, supports employee engagement and skills development. Knowledge development programs, including training, mentorship, and experiential learning, equip employees to drive innovation and contribute to business growth. External enablers, such as governmental support, financial incentives, insurance programs, and social security benefits, were also identified as crucial for the effective implementation of knowledge management practices. Sales and marketing skills, combined with effective customer relationship management, are emphasized as key drivers of business sustainability. Organizations that integrate robust knowledge management with strong marketing and customer engagement strategies are better positioned to respond to market dynamics, attract and retain customers, and achieve their long-term objectives.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that knowledge management plays a pivotal role in the sustainability and long-term development of female-owned businesses. It contributes to enhanced productivity, increased innovation, strengthened competitiveness, and overall improved organizational performance. Effective knowledge management requires a holistic approach that integrates human resources, technological tools, knowledge sharing, documentation, and leadership practices. Retaining key employees, developing technical and managerial skills, and fostering continuous learning are essential for effective knowledge utilization, enabling businesses to adapt, innovate and sustain growth over time. Advanced technologies such as knowledge management software, data analytics, and collaborative platforms facilitate knowledge capture, storage, dissemination, and application. External factors, including governmental policies, economic conditions, and socio-environmental considerations, play a significant role in supporting knowledge management initiatives. Providing financial support, insurance programs, and social security benefits strengthens the organizational capacity to implement knowledge management effectively. Ethical standards and corporate social responsibility initiatives reinforce trust, credibility, and long-term sustainability. Knowledge management is not an isolated activity but an integrated organizational strategy that interacts with multiple dimensions of business operation. Aligning knowledge management practices with strategic objectives enhances productivity, encourages innovation, maintains competitive advantage, and supports sustainable growth. The proposed framework offers a practical roadmap for women entrepreneurs and business leaders to implement effective knowledge management practices, ensuring resilience, long-term success, and contributions to the national economy. Thus, knowledge management serves as a strategic asset that enables sustainable organizational development and long-term business growth in contemporary economic contexts.
Research limitations/implications: This study is subject to several limitations: Sample Size and Scope: The findings are based on a relatively small purposive sample of 25 experts, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Methodological Constraints: While the Delphi technique is robust, its reliance on consensus may marginalize dissenting or highly innovative viewpoints. Contextual Specificity: The research was conducted within a specific geographic and economic context (Iran), potentially limiting the direct applicability of the proposed framework to other environments. Subjective Assessment: Data collection based on expert judgment using Likert scales carries an inherent risk of subjective bias in evaluating the components. Temporal Limitation: The rapid evolution of knowledge management technologies and market conditions means that the findings reflect a specific point in time.
Practical implications: This study provides a validated framework for implementing knowledge management (KM) to achieve sustainable business practices. Managers should prioritize documenting key employees' knowledge and fostering regular knowledge-sharing sessions. Invest in information technology, particularly decision support systems, to facilitate knowledge storage and access. Focus on developing employees' technical and managerial skills based on the assessed training needs. These actions directly enhance productivity, innovation, and long-term competitive advantages.
Originality/value: This study confirms the pivotal role of knowledge management in ensuring the sustainability and long-term development of businesses. The purposeful application of knowledge management leads to increased productivity, process improvement, enhanced innovation, and the creation of competitive advantage. Advanced technologies, knowledge documentation, and retention of key employees were identified as critical factors for improving organizational performance. Additionally, sales and marketing skills, along with establishing sustainable customer relationships, play a significant role in long-term business growth and success. Based on these findings, managers and policymakers should strengthen the culture of knowledge management and develop the necessary infrastructure to provide a conducive environment for sustainable growth and the empowerment of entrepreneurs.