Knowledge Management Strategy as a Chance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Author(s):  
Andrea Bencsik ◽  
Tímea Juhász

This chapter shows how SMEs can compete with multinational companies. This chapter was written on the basis of practical research results. In this research, Hungarian and Slovakian SMEs were investigated from the view of a knowledge-based economy. The question was how they can face future challenges. The researchers wanted to know how SMEs handle their chance which is hidden in their way of thinking about a knowledge strategy. As a result, these companies seem to be afraid, uncertain, and think their success is only luck or a current incident. They live a “fly by night” existence, and they do not feel the importance of development, of studying, of knowledge; they run after work and money. These enterprises feel that they have to survive, and to this, they need money and financial capital. Therefore, knowledge and studying fall behind.

Author(s):  
Andrea Bencsik ◽  
Tímea Juhász

This chapter shows how SMEs can compete with multinational companies. This chapter was written on the basis of practical research results. In this research, Hungarian and Slovakian SMEs were investigated from the view of a knowledge-based economy. The question was how they can face future challenges. The researchers wanted to know how SMEs handle their chance which is hidden in their way of thinking about a knowledge strategy. As a result, these companies seem to be afraid, uncertain, and think their success is only luck or a current incident. They live a “fly by night” existence, and they do not feel the importance of development, of studying, of knowledge; they run after work and money. These enterprises feel that they have to survive, and to this, they need money and financial capital. Therefore, knowledge and studying fall behind.


Author(s):  
Fotini Voulgaris ◽  
Christos Lemonakis ◽  
Konstantinos Vassakis

The globalization and the increasing competition especially during the latest years of crisis provide a new environment for SMEs. In the “knowledge-based economy”, firms’ competitiveness is strongly related to technical know-how and skills. The important keys for the survival, growth and development of SMEs are related to technological and scientific improvements, cooperation, innovation capacity and knowledge management. This is the first study which attempts to present the above characteristics of Greek manufacturing SMEs at the post-crisis era.


Author(s):  
Patrick S.W. Fong ◽  
Ka-chi Wong

Knowledge is regarded as the most important asset for sustainable success in today’s knowledge-based economy, and it has become the main competitive tool for many businesses. Proper capture and reuse of knowledge reduces the risk of “reinventing the wheel.” Building surveyors play a major role in building maintenance. Owing to the unique nature of building maintenance, building surveyors need sufficient knowledge and experience to facilitate their decision-making process. Apart from gaining this knowledge and experience by direct participation, learning from others is a sound alternative. However, insufficiencies have been found in the current practice on this aspect, and thus the aim of this chapter is to study whether a proposed Web-based prototype knowledge management system would be a feasible solution for capturing and reusing knowledge and experience in building maintenance. A questionnaire survey was conducted in this research to study the opinions of professional building surveyors on the capture and reuse of knowledge and experience in building maintenance, as well as the requirements of a proposed Web-based prototype system.


2011 ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe

In today’s knowledge-based economy, sustainable strategic advantages are gained more from an organization’s knowledge assets than from its more traditional types of assets, namely, land, labor, and capital. Knowledge, however, is a compound construct, exhibiting many manifestations of the phenomenon of duality such as subjectivity and objectivity as well as having tacit and explicit forms. Overlooking this phenomenon of duality in the knowledge construct has not only led many knowledge management initiatives to stumble but has also resulted in the discussion of the apparent contradictions associated with knowledge management in the IS literature as well as numerous discussions and debates regarding the “nonsense of knowledge management.” It is the thesis of this chapter that a full appreciation of the phenomenon of duality is indeed necessary to enable inquiring organizations to reach the state of wisdom and enlightenment.


2009 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Gianluca Elia

Many classifications and taxonomies of knowledge management tools highlight mainly specific characteristics and features of a single tool, by ignoring the holistic and systematic dimension of the classification, and the explicit elements of linking with the knowledge management strategy. This chapter aims at proposing a general framework that integrates the technological side of knowledge management with the strategic one. Thus, this framework could represent a powerful instrument to guide knowledge engineers in the implementation phase of a knowledge management system, coherently with strategical choices for knowledge management. Chapter is articulated in two main parts: the first one is focused on reminding some relevant approaches to knowledge management (Hoffmann 2001; Skyrme 2000; Ruggles 1997; Radding 1998; Maier 2002); the second part presents the framework, with a detailed description of its components.


2011 ◽  
pp. 3159-3174
Author(s):  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe

In today’s knowledge-based economy, sustainable strategic advantages are gained more from an organization’s knowledge assets than from its more traditional types of assets, namely, land, labor, and capital. Knowledge, however, is a compound construct, exhibiting many manifestations of the phenomenon of duality such as subjectivity and objectivity as well as having tacit and explicit forms. Overlooking this phenomenon of duality in the knowledge construct has not only led many knowledge management initiatives to stumble but has also resulted in the discussion of the apparent contradictions associated with knowledge management in the IS literature as well as numerous discussions and debates regarding the “nonsense of knowledge management.” It is the thesis of this chapter that a full appreciation of the phenomenon of duality is indeed necessary to enable inquiring organizations to reach the state of wisdom and enlightenment.


2011 ◽  
pp. 2631-2645
Author(s):  
El-Sayed Abou-Zeid

With the growing awareness of the crucial role that knowledge can play in gaining competitive advantage, several issues with regard to knowledge management (KM) initiatives have challenged executives. The articulation of the relationship between an organization’s competitive strategy and its knowledge strategy is the most eminent. This chapter addresses the issue of how to align knowledge strategy with enterprise business strategy. Based on the premise that the realization of business value from KM investments requires alignment between business and knowledge strategies, the issue is addressed by developing a strategic alignment model for KM. This model, which is based on the Henderson-Venkatraman strategic alignment model, includes the external domains (opportunities/threat) and internal domains (capabilities/arrangements) of both business (B-) and knowledge (K-) strategies and the relationships between them. Furthermore, it provides alternative strategic choices. The model is used to study a KM initiative at Buckman Laboratories.


2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Fombad

Background: Law firms in Botswana offer a particularly interesting context to explore the effects of transition in the knowledge economy. Acquiring and leveraging knowledge effectively in law firms through knowledge management can result in competitive advantage; yet the adoption of this approach remains in its infancy. Objectives: This article investigates the factors that will motivate the adoption of knowledge management in law firms in Botswana, and creates an awareness of the potential benefits of knowledge management in these firms.Method: The article uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods and the survey research design. A survey was performed on all 115 registered law firms and 217 lawyers in Botswana. Interviews were conducted with selected lawyers for more insight. Results: Several changes in the legal environment have motivated law firms to adopt knowledge management. Furthermore, lawyers appreciate the potential benefits of knowledge management. Conclusion: With the rise of the knowledge-based economy, coupled with the pressures faced by the legal industry in recent years, law firms in Botswana can no longer afford to rely on the traditional methods of managing knowledge. Knowledge management will, therefore, enhance the cost effectiveness of these firms. Strategic knowledge management certainly helps to prepare law firms in Botswana to be alive to the fact that the systematic harnessing of legal knowledge is no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity in the knowledge economy. It will also provide an enabling business environment for private sector development and growth and, therefore, facilitate Botswana’s drive towards the knowledge-based economy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.34) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman Gharamah ◽  
Mohamad Fauzan Noordin ◽  
Najma Imtiaz Ali ◽  
Imtiaz Ali Brohi

The Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and its growth objective is to be a major player in the global economy and moving toward a knowledge-based economy. To achieve its objectives, the private sector in various fields in KSA needs to be in line with country’s ambitious goal; Knowledge Management (KM) handling and readiness for the foreseen customer demand need to be in line with goals. This study presents a critical review to evaluate existing KM practice in the private sector in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to see the readiness of this sector to play an integral role of knowledge-based economy and support nation’s growth strategy.  The paper will examine current states in term of how knowledge management is practiced in the country.  This paper addressed various aspects of knowledge management ranges from the need of implementing knowledge management systems to the added value by deploying such systems. In addition, the review was discuss if the private sector is heading in the right direction, and coherent with KSA strategic goal by examining a sample of four major firms in private sector. The outcome of the sample reflected that the private sector is harmonized with KSA objective. 


Author(s):  
Clyde W. Holsapple ◽  
Kiku Jones

Knowledge-based organizations (Holsapple & Whinston, 1987; Paradice & Courtney, 1989; Bennet & Bennet, 2003) are intentionally concerned with making the best use of their knowledge resources and knowledge-processing skills in the interest of enhancing their productivity, agility, reputation, and innovation (Holsapple & Singh, 2001). A key question that confronts every knowledge-based organization is concerned with how to approach the task of forming a KM strategy. Beyond aligning KM strategy with an organization’s vision and overall strategy for achieving its mission, how does the creator of a KM strategy proceed? How is the created (or adopted) KM strategy communicated and evaluated? What can be done to avoid blind spots, gaps, and flaws in the strategy?


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