Moderating Effect of Information Technology on the Relationship Between Knowledge Management Capability and Competitiveness of Chartered Public Universities in Kenya

Purpose: This study assessed the moderating effect of information technology on the relationship between knowledge management capability and competitiveness of chartered public universities in Kenya. Materials and Methods: The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive survey design. The target population comprised 31 chartered public universities in Kenya. Data were collected from 155 middle-level managers using structured questionnaires and secondary institutional data. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multiple regression in SPSS at a 5% significance level. Findings: The results showed that knowledge management capabilities significantly influence university competitiveness (R² = 0.778). Knowledge organization had the strongest effect. When information technology was introduced as a moderator, the explanatory power increased to R² = 0.808, confirming a significant moderating effect. The study concludes that information technology strengthens the impact of knowledge management capabilities on the competitiveness of chartered public universities in Kenya. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Universities should align knowledge management practices with strong IT infrastructure, including digital repositories and knowledge-sharing platforms, to enhance competitiveness.