The role and nature of knowledge management in Finnish SMEs
by Sari Salojarvi
International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital (IJLIC), Vol. 1, No. 3, 2004

Abstract: This paper explores the motives of Finnish SMEs in managing their intangible assets, and describes their knowledge management methods. Interviews with ten SME directors are presented. The selected knowledge-active SMEs are compared both with big knowledge-managing companies and other similar SMEs that are not active in knowledge management. The common motives for knowledge management seem to be growth, change and renewal. But bigger companies seem to be more interested in measuring and exploiting existing resources. The firms interviewed had focused more on innovation, product development, trust and networks. These factors were not perceived as important by similar non-knowledge managing SMEs. Thus, knowledge-managing SMEs tend to be more future oriented and have better chances of survival than other SMEs. Furthermore, they seem to represent more dynamic approach to knowledge management than big companies.

Online publication date: Wed, 24-Nov-2004

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