Knowledge Management Implementation in Small Manufacturing Firms

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) is said to be essential element not only for large organizations but also to small organizations. However, KM implementation in small-scale organizations is under-explored. The objectives of this study are twofold. Firstly, to identify to what extent KM is being implemented in small firms; secondly, to assess KM implementation based on identified critical success factors (CSFs) in small firms in the Southern Region of Malaysia. The implementation level were assessed based on the four processes namely knowledge creation, storing, sharing and application. Existing studies on CSFs were reviewed and their limitations were identified. Five CSFs have been aptly identified from past studies that correspond with the characteristic of small firms. Qualitative design has been adopted in exploring the phenomenon under study by interviewing the top management level of small firms in the region. There were six firms who have been purposively identified to answer the objectives of study. In essence, the KM implementation in these small firms is relatively low. Besides that the identified CSFs of KM implementation of these small firms were less likely to provide strong influence on the realization of KM due to small capacity of resources including the financial and human capital. The top management has overlooked the significance to leverage the organization’s knowledge due to its impediment in relation to organizational resources.