In the current business environment, knowledge is a crucial competitive factor for the success of an enterprise. Even in the system of SMEs, with a strong work intensive approach, the value of knowledge is clear, but often it’s difficult to recognize all the different components (Takeuchi, 2001), so as to underestimate the effects and lead the company to the crisis. But in the dynamic markets with a high rate of innovation is essential that the entrepreneur points to the development and management of different aspects of knowledge (Spender, 1996). On the other hand, in a country like Italy - with a large presence of SMEs, internationally known for the quality of their Made in Italy (CNA, 2008) – it’s necessary to work on the development and transfer of knowledge, not only as a prerequisite for the continuity of the business, but also for the growth of the national economy at all. Thus, the paper aims to identify and analyze - through an empirical approach - what are the main tools for sharing, dissemination and use of knowledge present in SMEs, as fundamental elements for the survival and development of firms (Durst, Edvardsoon, 2012) particularly in the difficult step of generational change. Infact this is a crucial moment in the firm’s life because it involves the transfer from one generation to the next of a real assets of know-how and management expertise, acquired through years of experience. So regarding this particular stage of the firm, specific role could have the knowledge management like a tool to overcome the generational crisis and support the enterprise in the way of development and growth
THE ROLE OF KM IN BUSINESS SUCCESSION: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS ON LOCAL SMEs
REINA R;VENTURA M;
2013-01-01
Abstract
In the current business environment, knowledge is a crucial competitive factor for the success of an enterprise. Even in the system of SMEs, with a strong work intensive approach, the value of knowledge is clear, but often it’s difficult to recognize all the different components (Takeuchi, 2001), so as to underestimate the effects and lead the company to the crisis. But in the dynamic markets with a high rate of innovation is essential that the entrepreneur points to the development and management of different aspects of knowledge (Spender, 1996). On the other hand, in a country like Italy - with a large presence of SMEs, internationally known for the quality of their Made in Italy (CNA, 2008) – it’s necessary to work on the development and transfer of knowledge, not only as a prerequisite for the continuity of the business, but also for the growth of the national economy at all. Thus, the paper aims to identify and analyze - through an empirical approach - what are the main tools for sharing, dissemination and use of knowledge present in SMEs, as fundamental elements for the survival and development of firms (Durst, Edvardsoon, 2012) particularly in the difficult step of generational change. Infact this is a crucial moment in the firm’s life because it involves the transfer from one generation to the next of a real assets of know-how and management expertise, acquired through years of experience. So regarding this particular stage of the firm, specific role could have the knowledge management like a tool to overcome the generational crisis and support the enterprise in the way of development and growthI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.