Public PhD Viva-Voce Examination of  Mr. Isam Ali Ahmed

The Public Viva-Voce Examination for the PhD Dissertation hereto entitled, The Impact of Information Technology on Strategic Performance through Knowledge Management: A Field Study on Yemeni Telecommunications Companies, submitted by Mr. Isam Ali Ahmed Al-Hamli, to the Center of Business Administration, was held on Saturday, 14/07/1446 Hijri corresponding to 14/01/2025. The Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

The study aimed to measure the impact of information technology on strategic performance through knowledge management and to determine the level of information technology use, application of knowledge management, and strategic performance in Yemeni telecommunications companies.

The study reached several results, the most significant are as follows:

1. There is a statistically significant effect of information technology on strategic performance, where the value of the determination coefficient R2 (0.414) and the value of Beta (0.643), and a statistically significant effect of information technology in knowledge management, where the value of the determination coefficient R2 (0.415) and the value of Beta (0.644), and a statistically significant effect of knowledge management in strategic performance, where the value of the determination coefficient R2 (0.486) and the value of Beta (0.697), and there is a statistically significant effect of information technology in strategic performance through knowledge management in Yemeni telecommunications companies, where the value of Beta (0.309).
2. The level of achievement of IT, knowledge management, and strategic performance was (high) in Yemeni telecom companies.
3. There are statistically significant differences between the average answers of the study sample about the study variables (information technology, knowledge management, strategic performance) in the Yemeni telecommunications companies under study attributed to the organizational variables (type of company ownership, company size).
4. There are statistically significant differences towards strategic performance attributed to the age of the company, while there are no statistically significant differences towards (information technology and knowledge management) attributed to the variable (age of the company).

The study concluded with a set of recommendations, which are as follows:

• There should be increased focus on updating and developing the information technology (IT) systems used in Yemeni telecommunications companies, along with greater investment in this area. This is critical for improving and elevating the level of strategic performance, as advanced IT infrastructure plays a vital role in driving operational efficiency and innovation.
• It is essential to adopt knowledge management practices in Yemeni telecommunications companies in line with best practices. This can be achieved by developing a comprehensive strategic plan for knowledge management, integrated within the overall strategic framework of the companies. The plan should include clear objectives, actionable procedures, performance indicators, and targets. Additionally, a specialized task force should be established to oversee the implementation of the plan and ensure its objectives are met. This approach will contribute to improving strategic performance and enhancing the competitive capabilities of Yemeni telecommunications companies.
• Additional studies should be conducted to explore the relationship between information technology and knowledge management. For example, a further study could examine the impact of IT on achieving organizational excellence through knowledge management, as well as the role of IT in gaining a competitive advantage through knowledge management practices.

The PhD dissertation was examined and recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The Candidate was recommended to be awarded the degree of PhD in Business Administration.