Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) Honours

School

School of Management

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Law

First Supervisor

Dr Alan Coetzer

Second Supervisor

Dr Pattanee Susomrith

Abstract

From a knowledge management (KM) perspective, organisational effectiveness depends on the organisation’s capacity to effectively perform a range of processes that include identifying, acquiring, sharing, and storing valuable knowledge. The literature suggests that the growth of interest in the field of KM is largely centred on large organisations. Small businesses have not received much attention in the literature. This is surprising, given that small businesses (however defined) represent the majority of businesses in most countries and, as is the case in Australia, make a major contribution towards business activity, economic development and employment generation.

This study employed a qualitative exploratory design to investigate two aspects of KM. These are: (1) the processes of identifying, acquiring, sharing and storing knowledge; and (2) the adoption of critical success factors (CSFs) in the KM processes. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with eight owners/managers of knowledge-intensive small business in Western Australia.

Findings of the study reveal that knowledge-intensive small businesses have a moderate level of KM understanding. Technology was perceived to be the most common enabler of KM processes, and organisational culture was viewed as the most important factor in fostering KM processes. Overall, the findings of the study provide a preliminary guiding framework for those small businesses that lack KM awareness. Implications of the study findings for small business owner/managers, small business development agencies and KM practitioners are explained. Furthermore, limitations of the study and avenues for future research are discussed.

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