Purpose

This study aims to investigate international students’ experiences through a lens of knowledge management perspective, emphasizing their strategies for knowledge management in tandem with cultural adaptation. The primary objective is to elucidate how international students navigate cultural differences and use knowledge management strategies to augment their learning and integration, thereby supporting their academic progress in a new academic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth qualitative research strategy was used, using semistructured interviews with Pakistani doctoral students who were studying in Australia. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring themes and patterns in the data.

Findings

The findings reveal that international students adeptly adopt various knowledge management strategies to facilitate cultural adaptation. These strategies encompass embracing otherness through a sense of belonging, engaging in both personal and shared learning experiences, achieving individual success, and using critical inquiry as a guiding framework for observations. Notably, this study underscores the pivotal role played by cultural competence in conjunction with social networks, influencing cultural intelligence and, subsequently, impacting knowledge sharing and integration for academic progress.

Practical implications

This study’s findings provide practical insights for higher education institutions and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of supporting international students in their cultural adaptation and knowledge management endeavors. These practical implications encompass fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, supporting intercultural engagement, using technology for enhanced learning and communication and promoting the development of cultural intelligence among international students.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on international student experiences and knowledge management by providing insights into the strategies used by international students to navigate knowledge of cultural differences to enhance their learning experiences and advance academic progress. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the intersection between cultural adaptation and core knowledge management concepts of knowledge sharing and integration in the context of higher education.

中文翻译：

---

释放文化多样性知识，改善知识共享和整合：深入的定性分析

 目的

本研究旨在通过知识管理的角度调查国际学生的经历，强调他们的知识管理策略与文化适应相结合。主要目标是阐明国际学生如何驾驭文化差异并使用知识管理策略来增强他们的学习和整合，从而支持他们在新的学术环境中取得学术进步。

设计/方法/方法

使用了深入的定性研究策略，使用对在澳大利亚学习的巴基斯坦博士生的半结构化访谈。进行了主题分析以确定数据中反复出现的主题和模式。

 发现

研究结果表明，国际学生熟练地采用各种知识管理策略来促进文化适应。这些策略包括通过归属感拥抱他人、参与个人和共享学习体验、实现个人成功以及使用批判性探究作为观察的指导框架。值得注意的是，这项研究强调了文化能力与社交网络相结合所发挥的关键作用，影响文化智能，从而影响知识共享和整合以促进学术进步。

 实际意义

本研究的结果为高等教育机构和政策制定者提供了实用的见解，强调了支持国际学生进行文化适应和知识管理工作的重要性。这些实际影响包括营造一个友好和包容的环境、支持跨文化参与、利用技术加强学习和交流以及促进国际学生文化智力的发展。

 原创性/价值

本研究通过深入了解国际学生用来驾驭文化差异知识以增强他们的学习体验和促进学业进步的策略，为国际学生体验和知识管理的文献做出了贡献。这些发现有助于更深入地理解高等教育背景下文化适应与知识共享和整合的核心知识管理概念之间的交叉点。