Investigation into knowledge management in SMEs: Case of a Finnish telecomunications company
Le, Trang (2017)
Le, Trang
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201705046315
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201705046315
Tiivistelmä
The study investigates knowledge management in a Finnish SMEs and proposes appropriate practices to improve the status quo of the case company. Knowledge management is the management practice to leverage organizational knowledge to add value to the organization. Knowledge management is a significant source of competitive advantage, a crucial element of organization core competencies and a fundamental need for the learning organization. In spites of its enormous contribution to the organizational success, knowledge management has not received much attention from SMEs. It is indeed a challenge to have an appropriate approach towards knowledge management in SMEs context.
The theoretical framework is developed based on the theory of knowledge management in general and knowledge management in SMEs in specific. The nature of knowledge, the two main types of knowledge and its difference with data and information are discussed. The organizational knowledge and the three main competences of knowledge from managerial perspective are referenced. Furthermore, the challenges, special needs and distinct characteristics of implementing knowledge management in SMEs are addressed. This research is a qualitative study. A single case study is used to conduct the research. Primary data is collected via semi-structure interview method.
The findings emphasize the need for knowledge management and present the challenging environment of knowledge management in the case company. Resources constraint, threat of employee turnover and high demand from growth are such challenges towards knowledge management. The role of knowledge management from the strategy perspective, the distinct nature of organizational knowledge and the weak interaction of knowledge management elements are criticized. The research outcomes stressed the role of technology in knowledge management. Technology should be the first focus in knowledge management in this context. Based on the research, a technology solution, Enterprise Wiki, is suggested to implement in the case company.
The theoretical framework is developed based on the theory of knowledge management in general and knowledge management in SMEs in specific. The nature of knowledge, the two main types of knowledge and its difference with data and information are discussed. The organizational knowledge and the three main competences of knowledge from managerial perspective are referenced. Furthermore, the challenges, special needs and distinct characteristics of implementing knowledge management in SMEs are addressed. This research is a qualitative study. A single case study is used to conduct the research. Primary data is collected via semi-structure interview method.
The findings emphasize the need for knowledge management and present the challenging environment of knowledge management in the case company. Resources constraint, threat of employee turnover and high demand from growth are such challenges towards knowledge management. The role of knowledge management from the strategy perspective, the distinct nature of organizational knowledge and the weak interaction of knowledge management elements are criticized. The research outcomes stressed the role of technology in knowledge management. Technology should be the first focus in knowledge management in this context. Based on the research, a technology solution, Enterprise Wiki, is suggested to implement in the case company.