| 1. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Knowledge Creation in Small Building and Construction Firms
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Innovation Management. - : FEUP edições (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto Edicoes). - 2183-0606. ; 1:1, s. 125-142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studies on knowledge creation are limited in general, and there is a particular shortage of research on the topic in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the importance of SMEs for the economy and the vital role of knowledge creation in innovation, this situation is unsatisfactory. Accordingly, the purpose of our study is to increase our understanding of how SMEs create new knowledge. Data are obtained through semi-structured interviews with ten managing directorsof German SMEs operating in the building and construction industry. The findings demonstrate the influence of external knowledge sources on knowledge creation activities. Even though the managing directors take advantage of different external knowledge sources, they seem to put an emphasis on informed knowledge sources. The study´s findings advance the limited body of knowledge regarding knowledge creation in SMEs.
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| 2. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Knowledge management in SMEs : A literature review
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Knowledge Management. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1367-3270 .- 1758-7484. ; 16:6, s. 879-903
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The aim of this paper is to review research on knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises to identify gaps in the current body of knowledge, which justify future research directions. Design/methodology/approach: The study consists of a systematic review of 36-refereed empirical articles on knowledge management and small and medium-sized enterprises. Findings: The areas of knowledge management implementation, knowledge management perception, and knowledge transfer are relatively well researched topics; whereas those of knowledge identification, knowledge storage/retention and knowledge utilisation are poorly understood. Given the prevalence of small and medium-sized enterprises there is a strong need for more research on this important topic. The future research directions proposed by the authors may help to develop a greater understanding of knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises. Research limitations/implications: By only using the ProQuest database this study may not have allowed a complete coverage of all empirical articles in the field of knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises. Yet, it is believed that the findings provide a valuable understanding of the current situation in this research field. The study proposes a number of future research directions, which may stimulate more intensive research in this important field. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, no systematic literature review on this topic has previously been published in academic journals. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
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| 3. |
- Durst, Susanne, Dr. och docent, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Knowledge Retention in Smaller Firms
- 2018
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Ingår i: Contemporary Knowledge and Systems Science. - : IGI Global. - 1522556559 - 9781522556558 - 9781522556565 ; , s. 100-119
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In environments that are characterized by skill shortage, knowledge retention should be a key activity. Our understanding of this knowledge practice, however, is underdeveloped. The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to the further development of this field. The authors are interested in studying how smaller firms approach the retention of critical knowledge. Semi-structured interviews with organization members of five smaller Austrian firms operating in the building and construction industry were conducted. The findings presented in this chapter advance the limited understanding of knowledge retention in general and regarding smaller businesses. They also contribute to the further development of the study of knowledge management in the building and construction sector. Based on the study's findings, suitable measures to better manage the process of knowledge retention in smaller firms are derived. These measures may be useful for smaller firms operating in similar industries as well.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Retaining Knowledge in Smaller Building and Construction Firms
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Knowledge and Systems Science. - : IGI Global. - 1947-8208 .- 1947-8216. ; 8:3, s. 1-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of how SMEs retain critical knowledge. Against the background of the underdeveloped body of knowledge regarding knowledge retention, the authors selected an explorative (qualitative) research approach. More precisely, they conducted semi-structured interviews with organization members (i.e. executive and regular staff) of five Austrian SMEs operating in the building and construction industry. This study provides fresh insights into knowledge retention in SMEs. The findings advance the limited understanding of knowledge retention in general and regarding SMEs. They also contribute to the further development of the study of knowledge management in the building and construction sector. Based on the study's findings the authors derive suitable measures to better manage the process of knowledge retention in SMEs. These measures may be useful for SMEs operating in other industries as well.
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| 6. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Retaining Knowledge in Smaller Building and Construction Firms
- 2021
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Ingår i: Research Anthology on Small Business Strategies for Success and Survival. - : IGI Global. - 9781799891550 - 1799891550 - 9781799891567 ; , s. 425-437
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of how SMEs retain critical knowledge. Against the background of the underdeveloped body of knowledge regarding knowledge retention, the authors selected an explorative (qualitative) research approach. More precisely, they conducted semi-structured interviews with organization members (i.e. executive and regular staff) of five Austrian SMEs operating in the building and construction industry. This study provides fresh insights into knowledge retention in SMEs. The findings advance the limited understanding of knowledge retention in general and regarding SMEs. They also contribute to the further development of the study of knowledge management in the building and construction sector. Based on the study's findings the authors derive suitable measures to better manage the process of knowledge retention in SMEs. These measures may be useful for SMEs operating in other industries as well.
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| 7. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable knowledge management : Outsourcing and core competences. A literature review
- 2014
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Ingår i: Proceedings IFKAD 2014, Matera, Italy 11-13 June 2014. - : Institute of Knowledge Asset Management. - 9788896687048 ; , s. 316-326
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review extant research on outsourcing and knowledge competences to establish our understanding and to identify gaps justifying further research activities.Design/methodology/approach - The study consists of a systematic review of refereed empirical articles on outsourcing and knowledge competences. In order to get access to the articles we used two scientific databases: ProQuest and Web of Science. As keywords we decided to use multiple keyword combinations. We only included peer reviewed articles published in English. Twelve papers were identified and analysed in the paper.Originality/value - This methodology proofs evidence that there is a small number of papers addressing outsourcing and its consequences for KM sustainability.Practical implications - The outcomes of this study can assist researchers, managers and consultants to better understand the link between outsourcing and the sustainability of KM. This can be useful for managers in particular as more specific measures can be derived.
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| 8. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable Knowledge Management and the Outsourcing of Core Competences—Does that Fit Together? : Initial Insights from a Literature Review
- 2015
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Ingår i: Sustainable Operations Management. - Cham : Springer. - 9783319140018 - 9783319140025 ; , s. 15-35
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The issue of sustainability has been frequently discussed in recent years. Knowledge and its management represent aspects that fit nicely with one of the underlying conditions of sustainability, i.e. durability. Indeed, proper knowledge management can help firms in coping with present and future business challenges. The outsourcing of secondary business functions has become popular with many firms. What is increasingly present is the outsourcing of knowledge competences that is the firms’ core competences. This trend means a challenge for both the firms’ knowledge management and their sustainability. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to review extant research on the outsourcing of knowledge competences to establish our body of knowledge and to identify gaps justifying further research activities. The study is based on a systematic review of peer reviewed empirical articles on the outsourcing of knowledge competences. This proceeding proves evidence that there are a small number of papers addressing outsourcing and its consequences for knowledge management (KM) sustainability. The recommendations derived from the findings can assist researchers, managers and consultants to better understand the link between knowledge competence outsourcing and KM sustainability. This increased understanding can particularly be useful for managers as better decisions will be possible.
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| 9. |
- Durst, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable organisations and knowledge process outsourcing : Conditions for success
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Knowledge and Learning. - : InderScience Publishers. - 1741-1009 .- 1741-1017. ; 10:2, s. 110-123
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The outsourcing of knowledge processes has become a popularbusiness practice. This situation provides both new opportunities and threats forfirms’ and their development. In this context, it would be interesting to discussthe link between knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and sustainableorganisations that pursue not only economic issues but also social andenvironmental ones. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is toreview extant research on KPO and bring it together with the concept ofsustainable organisations. To do so, the paper relied on a combination of recentreviews of scholarly papers on KPO. This proceeding enabled the identificationof three main conditions that need to be fulfilled in order to increase the successof the integration of the two terms. The conditions are governance, partnershipand organisation members. The recommendations derived from the findingscan assist researchers and other actors in better understanding the requirementsof KPO for sustainable organisations.
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| 10. |
- Edvardsson, Ingi Runar, et al.
(författare)
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Knowledge creation in SMEs : Comparing Germany and Iceland
- 2014
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 7th Knowledge Cities World Summit (KCWS 2014). - Tallinn : Tallinn University Press. - 9789949291700 ; , s. 107-111
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The comparative paper presents initial insights into how small businesses in Germany and Iceland identify the need for new knowledge and how they create new knowledge.Method: The studies involved are of an exploratory (qualitative) research nature. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with managing directors of twenty small firms (ten in each country).Findings: The findings indicate that the need for new knowledge is primarily initiated by problems and bottlenecks, so it is an outcome of a reactive behaviour rather than a proactive one. Once this need for knowledge is identified the managing directors of both countries emphasise creating this new knowledge, consequently this process can be characterized as an active one.Originality/value: The study's findings add to the limited information on knowledge creation in SMEs as found in different parts of the world.Practical implications: The outcomes presented in the paper may help managing directors of smaller firms to make the knowledge creation process more effective, and in that way enhance the firms' innovation potential as well.
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