Knowledge management is a key process for sustaining a firm´s competitive advantage in dynamic environments. Firms competing in such environments must have, not only relevant technological resources, but also flexibility and administrative capabilities for coordinating internal competencies. In this study, knowledge generation and transfer processes are analyzed by means of case study of four small firms in the information technology business in Barcelona. As result of this study a conceptual model is developed, proposing that knowledge generation is possible through an external information acquisiton process and an internal knowledge creation process. This last process is facilitated by personal motivation and by the opportunity to learn from other organizational members. Knowledge transfer happens by utilizing formal and informal communication mechanisms. Although formal communication mechanisms like documents and intranet provide a strong support for the transfer process, employees prefer to transmit their knowledge by more personal means, face to face.
Keywords:
Small companies; information technology; generation of knowledge; knowledge transfer; study of cases
Zapata, L., & Pineda, J. L. (2006). Knowledge generation and transfer in small companies: case studies in the information technology sector. Estudios De Administración, 13(1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-0816.2006.56447
