Title: Factors affecting knowledge management adoption of Taiwan small and medium-sized enterprises

Authors: Ru-Ching Hsu, Diana Lawson, Ting-Peng Liang

Addresses: Saginaw Valley State University, 3rd Floor, No. 95, Sec. 2, Roosevelt Rd. Taipei City, Taiwan. ' Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, C309, University Center, MI 48710, USA. ' Information Management Department, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Electronic Commerce Research Center No. 70, Lienhai Rd. Kushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Abstract: Knowledge Management (KM) has become a critical component for maintaining competitive advantages. Most existing research looks at individual industries or general concepts; few studies have investigated KM use in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This research empirically investigates factors affecting the adoption of KM. Results indicate that important factors maturing of Information Technology (IT) applications, the complexity of management and marketing, and the degree of formal documentation and knowledge acquisition mechanisms. Finally, different characteristics of enterprises have diverse influences on the adoption of KM.

Keywords: adoption process; knowledge management; KM; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; enterprise development; Taiwan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2007.011454

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2007 Vol.4 No.1, pp.30 - 51

Published online: 30 Nov 2006 *

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