Knowledge Management: Case Studies in SMEs and Evaluation of an Integrated Approach

2005 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan Yew Wong ◽  
Elaine Aspinwall
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Integrated Framework ◽  
Implementation Effort ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Way

To date, very few publications have been found that describe how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are adopting knowledge management (KM). The same is true concerning attempts to develop a framework to help them implement it. To redress this, this paper presents the results of four case studies conducted in UK SMEs to examine their KM implementation effort. In addition, a new integrated framework developed by the authors was evaluated to determine its applicability in this business sector. The methodology employed to conduct the studies is described and each of the cases is then presented. The results are analysed and key lessons or findings gathered from the companies are highlighted. Comments received from the companies with respect to the integrated framework were positive and favourable. It is hoped that the information accrued from the case studies, together with the integrated framework, will help to pave the way for SMEs to accomplish KM.

scholarly journals Small and Medium Enterprises in Mexico and the Craft Beer Sector in Baja California: Dynamic Capabilities, Culture, and Innovation

2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-203
Author(s):  
Araceli Almaraz
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Baja California ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Symbolic Capital ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Craft Beer ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This article studies how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in emerging economies implement adaptative strategies to respond to constant changes in demand and global uncertainties, such as those stemming from the current SARS-COV2 pandemic. In this study the knowledge management capabilities used by SMEs in the craft beer sector in a region of northern Mexico are the focus of analysis. The objective is to present the competitive capabilities that craft beer sector has demonstrated in Baja California region and how small companies compete with the national industrial brewery and survive. Sources are data from a sample of companies and interviews with brewery owners, with which the analysis approaches, also, the Baja California business environment. The article highlights the routes of creativity, innovation, and symbolic capital of the companies in the region, and uses ideas from dynamic capabilities and knowledge management theoretical frameworks, to understand the craft brewery milieu. The conclusions in this article include the confirmation about the usefulness of these analytical frameworks based in the capabilities approach and the territorial knowledge. Also, the description of the existence of a complex Baja Californian milieu, where a multimodal scheme of craft beer characterized by different places of distribution and types of beer container, food-districts, at Mexicali, Tijuana, and Ensenada and a second generation of entrepreneur groups leading local business, is identified.

Prototyping Robotic Systems

2013 ◽  
pp. 715-760
Author(s):  
Andrew Goldenberg
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Faculty Member ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
General Framework ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Management Technology ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This chapter provides an experience-based framework of prototypes development and commissioning. It introduces elements learned directly from the practice that encompass aspects of project management, technology development process, and commercialization in the context of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The contents of this chapter are based mainly on the author’s practical experience of leading an SME technology developer. The author is also a faculty member working as a researcher and teacher. Because of the interrelationship between research and technology development, his views and perception of the topic may be unique, and they are personal. The chapter presents a general framework for robotic systems prototyping. To back up the points made in the chapter, three case studies of robotic prototyping are included to help the reader perceive the outlined concepts.

Obstacles to SMEs for E-Adoption in the Asia Pacific Region

2004 ◽  
pp. 112-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushil K. Sharma ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Asia Pacific Region ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Way

As electronic commerce (e-commerce) is becoming the way to trade, it is the large corporations that are exploiting their finances and technical expertise to jump into this abyss. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are finding too many obstacles to participate in e-commerce. SMEs in Asia Pacific in particular, face many obstacles and thus are still not comfortable with the concept of putting their business online, conducting transactions online or revamping entire business processes. This chapter describes the key factors that are hindering SMEs’ participation in e-commerce and the obstacles to SMEs for e-adoption in Asia Pacific. Although this study is limited to the Asia Pacific region many of the findings do contribute significantly to the factors hindering all SMEs’ e-adoption efforts.

Obstacles to SMEs for E-Adoption in the Asia Pacific Region

2011 ◽  
pp. 1466-1473
Author(s):  
Sushil K. Sharma ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Asia Pacific Region ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Way

As electronic commerce (e-commerce) is becoming the way to trade, it is the large corporations that are exploiting their finances and technical expertise to jump into this abyss. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are finding too many obstacles to participate in e-commerce. SMEs in Asia Pacific in particular, face many obstacles and thus are still not comfortable with the concept of putting their business online, conducting transactions online or revamping entire business processes. This chapter describes the key factors that are hindering SMEs’ participation in e-commerce and the obstacles to SMEs for e-adoption in Asia Pacific. Although this study is limited to the Asia Pacific region many of the findings do contribute significantly to the factors hindering all SMEs’ e-adoption efforts.

Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Enterprises

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeta Baporikar
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Physical Capital ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Multinational Organizations ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Today, success and worth of a business depend more on intellectual capital than physical capital. Hence, knowledge that exists within an organization is a sustainable source of competitive advantage, which makes Knowledge Management (KM) a critical input in the growth of any organization and more so in the case of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Even though much has been researched and written on the subject of knowledge management in large and multinational organizations, very little focus and research has been done on KM in SMEs. Globalization of supply chains, rapid technological advances, superior returns on intellectual capital, and the growing importance of knowledge-intensive industries make KM a strategic tool in the growth and success of all businesses. Access and integration of SMEs with regional, national, and international supply chains require bridging the gaps between the requirements of supply chains and efficiency of SMEs' KM systems. KM-enabled SMEs are essential for competitive and sustainable growth. Hence, a judicious approach for KM in SMEs is a must in the current scenario. The overall mission of this chapter is to aid researchers in recognizing and understanding the knowledge management spectrum for small and medium enterprises in a globalized world. This would be indispensable for successful goal attainment and sustainable business in a contemporary complex economy.

Frameworks for the Benchmarking of Digital and Knowledge Management Best Practice In SME and Organizations

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
Antonio Cartelli
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Competence Assessment ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Recent Proposal ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Digital Processes ◽  
The Impact

The paper discusses the impact of IT/ICT on society by analyzing the effects it has on subjects and organizations. The recent proposal of frameworks for digital competence assessment and the construction of suitable instruments helping students in the acquisition of this competence are the main reason for the transfer to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In this paper, the author compares knowledge phenomena in subjects with the strategies of knowledge management in the organizations. A framework for benchmarking best practices in SME and organizations is also given on the basis of the results obtained in virtual campuses. The author presents instruments for the acquisition of further information from all stakeholders, and possible interventions toward the improvement of digital processes in SMEs and organizations are discussed.

Application of Web Services in the Context of E-Procurement

2007 ◽  
pp. 265-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Oliver ◽  
Kiran Maringanti
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Web Services ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Widespread Adoption ◽  
The Government ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Networked Economy ◽  
The Way

This chapter highlights the importance of e-procurement and the barriers affecting its widespread adoption in the context of small and medium enterprises. The chapter takes a technical perspective and critically analyzes the importance of information systems in the procurement domain and the integration challenges faced by SMEs in today’s digitally networked economy. Next, the role of XML-based Web services in solving the integration challenges faced by SMEs is discussed. Subsequently, a procurement transformation framework enabled by Web services which provides a clear methodology of the way in which information systems should be introduced in the procurement domain is discussed. The chapter concludes by a discussion of the measures that must be undertaken by various stakeholders like the government and universities in increasing the awareness levels of SMEs to the latest e-business mechanisms.

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