The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of knowledge management on organizational performance, with the mediating role of research and development in one of the companies operating in the oil industry. To achieve this goal, the theoretical framework of the study was first developed through a review of the literature and previous research. Based on this framework, the conceptual model of the study was proposed, and research hypotheses were formulated. The statistical population consists of managers and experts from one of the companies active in the oil industry, totaling 186 individuals, from which a sample of 125 participants was selected. A questionnaire, with items extracted from reliable sources and whose validity and reliability were confirmed, was distributed among the selected participants. Given the non-normal distribution of data and the structure of the research model, the partial least squares (PLS) method and the Smart PLS2 software were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that the impact of knowledge management on organizational performance is 0.578, the impact of knowledge management on research and development is 0.551, and the impact of research and development on organizational performance is 0.632. Finally, recommendations were provided to improve organizational performance based on knowledge management and research and development.