Organizations operating in the intensive knowledge-based sector seek efficient management approaches and sustainable development practices to perform efficiently in the dynamic business environment. Knowledge management practice and organizational learning are significant factors in order to achieve sustainable organizational performance in a rapidly changing business environment. Based on the scientific literature analysis, there is still a lack of evidence related to the mediating role of the whole knowledge management cycle, including the five knowledge management processes (knowledge acquisition, creation, storage, sharing, and application) in the relationship between organizational learning and sustainable organizational performance for organizations operating in intensive knowledge-based sectors. This study aimed to examine the impact of the whole knowledge management cycle on the relationship between organizational learning and sustainable organizational performance in intensive knowledge-based sectors, specifically the audit and consulting companies in the Middle East region. Systematic scientific literature analysis, expert evaluation (structured questionnaire), and structural equation modeling (SEM) technique were used to develop and verify the research model. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire distributed among auditing experts working in a knowledge-based sector—audit and consulting companies in the Middle East region. The research results supported the hypotheses stating that organizational learning positively affects knowledge acquisition, storage, sharing, application processes, and sustainable organizational performance. However, the results verified that organizational learning has an insignificant impact on the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies’ knowledge creation process.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of information technologies and technology-enabled social networks on the efficiency of knowledge management processes in the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies. Design/methodology/approach Scientific literature analysis, structural equation modeling and expert evaluation (structured questionnaire) were used to develop the research model, collect data from the audit and consulting companies’ experts and test the research hypotheses. Findings The empirical results of this research supported the hypotheses stating that information technologies and social networks positively affect the knowledge management cycle, including five processes (acquisition, creation, storage, sharing and application) within the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies. Research limitations/implications The research results were generated from the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies, which form a limitation concerning the geographical area and the business sector. Practical implications From the results of this study, audit and consulting companies, as well as organizations and society broadly, would benefit via the positive effect of information technologies and technology-enabled social networks on the whole knowledge management cycle, which has a further impact on organizational performance. These practical implications are related to a more open, sharing culture that drives organizational performance to the members and stakeholders of organizations, which, in turn, benefits society. Originality/value This research analyzes information technologies and technology-enabled social networks’ impact on knowledge management processes, particularly in the context of the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies. While the phenomena have received some attention in the prior scientific research, the studied context so far remained under-researched, where a gap is found in studying the knowledge management cycle as a whole.

Purpose -this article aims to evaluate the influence of knowledge oriented leadership on knowledge management processes and the influence of those processes on the performance of the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies.Research methodology -analysis of scientific literature, structural equation modelling and expert evaluation (structured questionnaire) were used in order to create hypotheses and research model, to collect data from the audit and consulting companies' experts and to test research model and related hypotheses.Findings -the results of this research supported eight out of ten suggested hypotheses. Empirical evidence shows that leadership has a positive impact on knowledge acquisition, storage, and sharing processes in the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies and knowledge management processes (creation, acquisition, sharing, storage and application) have positive influence on organizational performance.Research limitations -conducting the research in the Middle Eastern audit and consulting companies limits the possibility of generalizing the results to other types of businesses sectors as well as other geographical areas.Practical implications -conducted research results have practical value for audit and consulting companies as this study analyses the concept of knowledge oriented leadership and its impact on knowledge management processes and organizational performance.Originality/Value -this research investigated one of rare studies in the Middle East business sector, where the audit and consulting companies' performance affected by the knowledge management processes was assessed considering knowledge oriented leadership as an influential factor that affects the knowledge management processes implementation.

Recently the knowledge management processes are analysed as the main source of uniqueness for the organisations, while they are facing the challenge of implementing the most efficient processes that affect their performance (Chang, Hsu, & Yen, 2012; Kianto, Vanhala, & Heilmann, 2016; Raudeliūnienė & Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė, 2016; Raudeliūnienė, Davidavičienė, & Jakubavičius, 2018; Känsäkoski, 2017). The scientists distinguish different combinations of knowledge manage-ment processes in approaching the knowledge management process and analysis has shown that knowledge management processes, studied by most scientists, do not have a clear knowledge man-agement structure (García-Fernández, 2015; Raudeliūnienė et al., 2018). The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge management concept and knowledge management cycle considering the different interpretations of scientists. The study is grounded on scientific literature review.

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