A Survey of Critical Success Factors in Implementing KM in ASEAN Service-Based SMEs

Abstract

This paper explores the critical success factors (CSF) for implementing knowledge management (KM), in service-based Southeast Asian (ASEAN) small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs. An empirical approach is proposed to determine the importance level of seven identified KM critical success factors (CSF). The study is of 57 SMEs in Technology Parks and SME ‘Technopreneur’ Centres in Malaysia. It is concluded that the service-based SME sector, as a sizable business sector in the ASEAN region, needs to pay more attention to its intellectual assets and to KM, which is rapidly becoming integral to gaining competitive edge. The study of KM in such fast-developing countries brings useful insight into KM in other ASEAN countries. The results of this study reinforce previous findings on the importance of the various KM CSFs and can help service-based SMEs to understand more fully the discipline of KM, to facilitate its adoption and to prioritize its implementation.