Use of knowledge management systems: analysis of the strategies of Brazilian small and medium enterprises

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Euro Marques Júnior ◽  
Jose Alcides Gobbo ◽  
Fernando Fukunaga ◽  
Roberto Cerchione ◽  
Piera Centobelli

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the degree of diffusion and intensity of use of knowledge management systems (KMSs) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil and apply a taxonomy that synthesizes the strategies of use of KMSs by the SMEs. In addition, it seeks to better understand the processes, practices and technologies of KM by SMEs, pointing improvements in the KMS of Brazilian SMEs and contributing to obtain better results in the search for efficiency and innovation. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review on KMSs used by SMEs, an empirical investigation was conceived, developed and conducted through online questionnaires involving 49 selected SMEs operating in several sectors. Findings This paper reinforces the results of the previous work of Cerchione and Esposito (2017) that point to the existence of a reciprocal relationship between KM-Tools and KM-Practices: one reinforces the other and vice versa. On the other hand, it indicates a difference in the behavior of Brazilian companies in relation to the sample of Italian companies studied by Cerchione and Esposito (2017), which presented a negative correlation between the general differentiation index and the general use intensity index of SMEs, while the Brazilian ones showed a positive correlation. Research limitations/implications The study points out the need for greater dissemination of practices and tools to support knowledge management (KM), as well as greater support for the implementation and effective use of these practices and tools within the organizational context of SMEs. Practical implications This paper identifies the main practices and tools to support KM used by Brazilian SMEs, indicating the need for investments in employee training and acquisition of tools. Social implications SMEs represent an important part of the generation of jobs and income in Brazil. Initiatives that lead to the successful implementation of tools and practices to support KM can increase the efficiency and productivity of these organizations. Originality/value This paper applies in a sample of Brazilian companies the taxonomy proposed by Cerchione and Esposito (2017) combining strategies of SMEs for the use of KMSs.

2011 ◽  
Vol 187 ◽  
pp. 416-421
Author(s):  
Shih Ming Pi ◽  
Hsiu Li Liao ◽  
Su Houn Liu ◽  
Su Yu Peng

The study investigates the usage of knowledge management systems in Taiwan. The usage acts as a cooperative learning of knowledge-sharing and knowledge-recycling. We chose 127 employees of IT department of small and medium enterprises in Taiwan, to investigate what factors would affect their cooperative learning in the context of using knowledge management systems, and to investigate the outcome of cooperative learning. The result shows all hypotheses are significant except people-related autonomy and process-related autonomy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 426-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piera Centobelli ◽  
Roberto Cerchione ◽  
Emilio Esposito

Purpose This paper aims to propose a taxonomic scheme of knowledge management systems (KMSs) and a set of technologies and managerial practices supporting supply firms in knowledge management processes. Design/methodology/approach Based on a field analysis involving a sample of suppliers operating in high-tech manufacturing and service industries, this paper investigates the use of KMSs in the sample investigated. Findings The paper shows that suppliers are generally reluctant to use updated and innovative KMSs replacing traditional ones. This gap confirms that suppliers have difficulties in facing rapid technological changes. The field analysis also points out that suppliers investigated perceive knowledge management mainly as an issue of knowledge transfer and knowledge storage while appear to be neglected the phase of knowledge creation. Originality/value Moreover, the paper highlights a misalignment between the intensity of use of knowledge management practices that support the phase of knowledge creation and knowledge management tools that should support such practices.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chulatep Senivongse ◽  
Alex Bennet ◽  
Stefania Mariano

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value of using a systematic literature review to develop an integrated framework for information and knowledge management systems. Design/methodology/approach First, the systematic literature review method is introduced, differentiating it from traditional literature reviews in terms of value-added and limitations. Second, this methodology is used in a research application focused on absorptive capacity internal capabilities with regard to the processes of acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation. Third, an integrated framework for information and knowledge management systems is developed from this application. Findings The systematic literature review approach provides a rigor that can assist in reducing researcher bias while simultaneously enabling the definition of a precise scope of review, with a clear explanation of selection criteria with the objective to find and review all the studies that are relevant to the search definitions. As a research method, it effectively supports a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methodology. Research limitations/implications This methodology was applied to one specific area of research. Specific limitations include the availability of articles in subscribed databases and the analytical capabilities of the tools used for text mining and analytics. Originality/value This paper demonstrates the usefulness of the systematic literature review methodology in developing an integrated framework for analysis.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holli McCall ◽  
Vicky Arnold ◽  
Steve G. Sutton

ABSTRACT: In an era where knowledge is increasingly seen as an organization's most valuable asset, many firms have implemented knowledge-management systems (KMS) in an effort to capture, store, and disseminate knowledge across the firm. Concerns have been raised, however, about the potential dependency of users on KMS and the related potential for decreases in knowledge acquisition and expertise development (Cole 1998; Alavi and Leidner 2001b; O'Leary 2002a). The purpose of this study, which is exploratory in nature, is to investigate whether using KMS embedded with explicit knowledge impacts novice decision makers' judgment performance and knowledge acquisition differently than using traditional reference materials (e.g., manuals, textbooks) to research and solve a problem. An experimental methodology is used to study the relative performance and explicit knowledge acquisition of 188 participants partitioned into two groups using either a KMS or traditional reference materials in problem solving. The study finds that KMS users outperform users of traditional reference materials when they have access to their respective systems/materials, but the users of traditional reference materials outperform KMS users when respective systems/materials are removed. While all users improve interpretive problem solving and encoding of definitions and rules, there are significant differences in knowledge acquisition between the two groups.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-53
Author(s):  
Ladislav Burita ◽  
◽  
Denisa Hrusecka ◽  
Michal Pivnicka ◽  
Pavel Rosman ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Anwarul Islam ◽  
Gunilla Widen

Purpose VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems (VJIKMS) is one of the oldest and leading journals in the knowledge management (KM) field. The purpose of this study is to conduct bibliometrics analysis of publications published in VJIKMS for the past two decades. For doing this, this paper covered the past two decades of publications and carried out a science mapping analysis of publications. Design/methodology/approach The methodology included bibliometrics and the science mapping analysis process. This paper imported the bibliographic information of VJIKMS from the abstract and citation database Scopus. Through bibliometrics method, this paper examined the citation results, author productivity, authorship pattern, research collaboration and other parameters of the selected publications. Afterward, this paper used VOSviewer software to carry out the science mapping of bibliometric networks. Findings The findings showed that VJIKMS published 718 publications during 2000–2020, which got cited 4,311 times (6 times per article) till date. Joint authorship and international collaboration have been increasing where 1,417 authors from 66 countries have published. The USA, the UK and Iran lead the KM publications in this journal. Nonaka’s publications and Journal of Knowledge Management (JKM) are highly cited references and journals in the VJIKMS. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study would help the KM students, researchers and practitioners to see the diffusion of KM globally, what are the promising areas to work and helps to know the various patterns of publications if they aim to publish in VJIKMS. Originality/value This is the first time a bibliometric analysis has been conducted to analysis of research publications published in VJIKMS. This presents a comprehensive analysis of publications between 2000 and 2020.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayiz Dahash Shrafat

Purpose The potential for the adoption of a knowledge management system (KMS) is becoming a crucial matter in small and medium enterprises (SMEs); however, there is a scarcity of studies related to KMS adoption in SMEs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to advance further our understanding of the factors that influence the KMS adoption process among SMEs. Design/methodology/approach The collected sample size was 247 respondents. For statistical analysis, Smart partial least square (PLS) (a structural model-based tool) was used to build, run and validate the process model. PLS regression techniques were used to analyze the latent constructs. Smart PLS exhibits both the measurement model and the structural model. Findings The results indicate that knowledge management capabilities, knowledge sharing, organizational learning capabilities and IT capabilities are the significant factors which influence KMS adoption. This study also identifies some unexpected results. Research limitations/implications The number of responses obtained from the survey was rather small. However, a larger number of responses would probably have resulted in a more accurate finding. Additionally, this study should be verified via a larger sample to increase its generalization. Practical implications The result of this study will provide SMEs with valuable guidelines to better understand what factors should be considered as highly important and thus providing decision makers and managers with valuable insights to increase the adoption level of KMSs. Originality/value The study addresses the research gap by developing and empirically validating a research model of KMS adoption from a different perspective that incorporates critical issues which have never been simultaneously examined.


Author(s):  
Arishu Kaushik ◽  
Doordarshi Singh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out and highlight the major influential barriers in the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Northern India. The major barriers in the implementation of AMTs in manufacturing industries of Northern India have been critically assessed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach An ample and reasonable number of small- and medium-scale manufacturing industries of northern India have been surveyed with an aim to find out the barriers in the implementation of AMTs. On the basis of data collected, AHP–TOPSIS method was applied in order to measure the weightage of each barrier in a simple mathematical form. Findings High cost of AMTs, lack of appropriate financial resources and current processes or procedures are the major barriers that cause hindrance in the path of implementation of AMTs in SMEs. Research limitations/implications This investigation was based on the survey followed by judgments of experts in industry and academia; other approaches such as PROMETHEE, WPM, VIKOR, etc., can be applied for investigation. Also, the study can be carried out in different region(s) and parts of the country. Practical implications This paper can be helpful in many ways to the management or industrialists of various nations who are on the same path or will follow soon. Originality/value SMEs need to address the findings of this research in order to overcome the barriers and successfully implement the AMTs. A model for successful implementation of AMTs by overcoming the barriers has been suggested.


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