Title: Knowledge management in small firms

Authors: Lena Rantakyro

Addresses: Lulea University of Technology, Department of Human Work Sciences, SE-971 87 Lulea, Sweden

Abstract: All companies that wish to stay competitive have to develop their ability to maintain, improve, organise, use and reuse the employees| knowledge, tangible as well as intangible. Knowledge management has become a very important management tool. Although still open to several interpretations, it is possible to identify two main strategies for practicing knowledge management: codification and personalisation. Knowledge management is in this paper discussed from both perspectives in relation to case studies in small manufacturing firms. Results from this ongoing research project show that there are obstacles for using either of these strategies in small firms.

Keywords: small firms; knowledge management; learning; manufacturing industry; codification; personalisation; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2005.007617

Global Business and Economics Review, 2005 Vol.7 No.2/3, pp.214 - 225

Published online: 20 Aug 2005 *

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