Title: Entrepreneurial knowledge management model: a panacea for start-up failures in emerging markets

Authors: Priyadarshini Jayaraj Perumal; Vaneeta Aggarwal

Addresses: MEASI Institute of Management, Royapettah, Chennai, India ' Department of Management Studies, University of Madras, Chennai, India

Abstract: Knowledge is a very crucial and inevitable resource for new ventures to sustain competitive advantage. In this technology-driven dynamic world, the process of knowledge management of start-ups is not efficient enough to meet the competitive demands existing in the market. Huge differences exist between the knowledge management activities between the established firms and new firms. The process of knowledge management in start-ups is a relatively new and least explored area in entrepreneurship. The primary objective is to study the knowledge management process for start-ups through a qualitative approach; the secondary objective is to offer suggestions for knowledge acquisition and improving knowledge management in the start-ups; and the tertiary objective is to develop a model for effective knowledge management process for gaining sustainable competitive advantage. This paper is based on grounded theory. The authors of this study have collected data from ten entrepreneurs running start-ups in Chennai, an emerging market. NVivo 12 Plus qualitative software is used for analysing the data collected through the interview schedule. An entrepreneurial knowledge management model based on the insights and analysis from the interview schedule was developed, and suggestions were given regarding entrepreneurial knowledge management for start-ups.

Keywords: entrepreneurial knowledge management; start-ups; entrepreneurial knowledge management for problem solving; emerging markets; Chennai; qualitative study; new ventures; knowledge management model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2025.147817

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2025 Vol.36 No.4, pp.437 - 456

Received: 24 Oct 2020
Accepted: 16 Oct 2021
Published online: 04 Aug 2025 *

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