Author:
Corso Mariano,Martini Antonella,Paolucci Emilio,Pellegrini Luisa
Abstract
To survive in the global economy small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have to improve their products and processes exploiting their intellectual capital in a dynamic network of knowledge‐intensive relations inside and outside their borders. By erasing traditional constraints to SMEs innovation ability and leveraging their flexibility and responsiveness, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) provide SMEs with opportunities for Knowledge Management (KM) today in most cases largely unexploited. Focusing on the area of Product Innovation (PI) and drawing evidence from the analysis of a multiple‐case study on 47 Italian SMEs, patterns in the adoption and use of new ICT tools are explained in relation both to Contingencies and to KM internal processes. Complexity at both product and system levels, emerges as a key factor driving technological choices. Three different KM configurations emerge in relation to ICT approaches. Implications of this study are relevant for both SMEs managers and ICT developers/vendors.
Subject
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering,Software
Reference28 articles.
1. Alstrup, L. (2000), “Coaching continuous improvement in small enterprises”, The International Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 165‐70.
2. Baba, Y. and Nobeoka, K. (1998), “Toward knowledge‐based product development: the 3‐D CAD model of knowledge creation”, Research Policy, Vol. 26, pp. 643‐59.
3. Berryman, J. (1983), “Small business failure and bankruptcy: a survey of the literature”, European Small Business Journal, Vol. 1 No. 4, pp. 14‐59.
4. Daft, R.L. (1997), Organization Theory and Design, South‐Western College, Winfield, KS.
5. Decks, J. (1976), The Small Firm Owner‐Manager‐Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Management Practice, Rinehart and Winston, New York, NY.
Cited by
53 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献，注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献，订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献