Knowledge management in SMEs and MNCs: matching knowledge mobility mechanisms to supply network configuration profiles

Abstract

While ‘knowledge mobility’ presents significantly different challenges for SMEs and MNCs, it is strongly influenced by two common factors: the type of knowledge to be integrated and the configuration of the operations network. Here, SMEs and MNCs are required to make critical decisions about ‘levels’ of collaboration and knowledge sharing with network partners. A Knowledge Mobility Configuration (KMC) framework was developed, tested and refined using five case studies indicative of a growing shift towards information and knowledge-intensive activities. In terms of contribution, there has been limited empirical research to-date into the determinants of successful knowledge transfers in MNC-SME network contexts. The network configuration element of the KMC framework provides insights on how such networks evolve, and how specific knowledge mobility profiles may evolve over time. This more nuanced approach may be used as a basis for a proactive and differentiated approach to knowledge mobility and integration across SME and MNC networks.     

中小企业全面创新管理实施框架与典型模式

全面创新管理作为创新管理的新范式,通过各种创新要素的有机组合与协同创新来提升企业创新能力;中小企业在规模、管理、技术以及产业等方面的特点,使其在实施全面创新管理方面有自身实际特点.结合实际调研和理论分析,构建中小企业全面创新管理实施框架,并初步分析了有代表性的三种典型实施模式,以更好的指导中小企业创新实践.     

Knowledge management in consultancy-involved process improvement projects: cases from Chinese SMEs

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) is considered as an effective strategy to improve organizational performance. In its application to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), resource constraints mean that exploitation of knowledge from external sources is often needed. This study explores practical KM issues encountered by Chinese SMEs when working with management consultants to introduce new business improvement practices. A comparative case study is conducted focusing on two consultancy-involved process improvement projects in Chinese manufacturing SMEs. The case results suggest a clear KM strategy is needed at the outset of the project and SME managers and employees need to play a proactive role in the learning and adoption of new knowledge. The research is novel in that it is the first study to explore knowledge management and the notion of liminality within the context of consultancy-involved Chinese SME improvement projects. The paper culminates with two research propositions that require further empirical study.     

Knowledge sharing for innovation performance improvement in micro/SMEs: an insight from the creative sector

Abstract

As economies become more reliant on innovative, knowledge-intensive firms, understanding the interaction between knowledge and improving innovation performance is increasingly important. Although most UK businesses are micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (micro/SMEs), knowledge management research has tended to focus on large companies Knowledge sharing can be critical for innovation performance, especially for smaller players with limited resources. Our study presents an insight from micro/SMEs operating in the highly knowledge-intensive and innovative games/entertainment software development sector. Using a mixed method approach, we investigate knowledge sharing and its contribution to firm innovation performance improvements. Our findings suggest that micro/SMEs are at the forefront of the creative sector precisely because of their smaller size. Our study reveals evidence of knowledge donation but limited evidence of knowledge collection in the knowledge sharing process. We develop a model highlighting the importance of industry context, individual knowledge and organizational size in knowledge sharing for innovation performance.     

上市公司ERP实施前后绩效变化的实证研究——来自沪市1993-2003年的经验数据

以1993—2003年间实施ERP的92家沪市上市公司为样本企业,利用W ilcoxon秩和检验、Panel分析以及系数约束检验分析比较了公司实施ERP前后的绩效变化.研究结果表明:不能根据单一检验分析方法片面得出实施ERP是否存在信息技术的生产率悖论现象.国内企业实施ERP当年及之后1~2年绩效略有下降,但变化不显著;实施ERP之后第3年多数企业没有起到改善绩效的预期,但少数公司却利用ERP显著改善了公司绩效,少数公司实施ERP存在短期绩效下降现象.指出造成这种结果的主要原因是ERP实施成功率较低,并不是ERP本身存在信息技术的生产率悖论问题.     

An exploratory study of ERP implementation in Saudi Arabia

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is being implemented by many organisations as a potential solution to their businesses. In spite of its appeal, ERP has challenges and difficulties in its realisation, especially in developing countries. In this article, existing trends and success factors for ERP implementation in Saudi Arabia is investigated. The results of this study apply, to a large extent, to other developing countries in the Middle East and other oil producing countries. The study captures the best implementation practices, difficulties encountered, critical success factors and benefits realised. Most organisations suffer serious time and/or cost overruns in ERP implementation. Management commitment and the existence of a clear strategic objective were found to be critical for the success of the ERP implementation. Change management programmes and extensive training were found to be essential for smooth implementation process.     

基于多案例研究的拼凑理念、模式双元与替代式创新

异于以往模仿或合作创新等“外源式”研究视角,从“资源内生式”视角探索了资源匮乏下中小企业的创新模式——拼凑.借鉴模式双元学习的观点,表明拼凑理念是一种“创意层的探索”与“资源层的利用”的结合,通过组织学习和平衡机理促进创新.通过对3个典型案例的研究发现:中小企业可通过树立拼凑理念促进新创意探索与手边资源利用的模式双元;模式双元的平衡与失衡将产生不同的创新效果,“高高”双元(资源高利用和创意高探索)可以带来“新颖”创新;“高低”双元(资源高利用和创意低探索)则更容易产生“凑合”创新;拼凑理念更容易形成非标准、快速、低成本的替代式创新.     

The role of social and intellectual capital in achieving competitive advantage through enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software merges a firm's data, information flows and business processes into a single package. Vendors argue that ERP provides an extremely useful strategic resource to enhance competitiveness and make it possible for a firm to leverage its other resources more effectively and efficiently. In addition, they allege that ERP encourages a system-wide perspective that is a basis for collaboration and a systems orientation. However, an examination of ERP systems using criteria established in research on resource-based views of the firm and chaos/complexity theory indicates that these claims are overstated. Observation suggests that even if ERP is necessary to coordinate complicated, multifaceted operations, it is far from sufficient to promote a strong competitive position over the long term. Moreover, ERP systems fit best within mechanistic, clockwork organizations dominated by routine, highly programmed technologies and operations, yet it is the non-routine learning and change processes found in complex, self-organizing systems that enable firms to create distinctive competitive advantages from ERP outputs. ERP makes possible deep changes in relationships, culture, and behaviors that can be crucial sources of advantage in the knowledge economy, but the structures and cultures most able to achieve this level of change are a poor fit with ERP requirements. To reconcile this paradox, we propose a dual-core, loosely coupled organization that views ERP as an enabling technology to build and augment social and intellectual capital, rather than as an information technology (IT) solution for organizational inefficiencies. Propositions for using ERP as a foundation for social and intellectual capital formation are introduced. Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

Knowledge infrastructure capability,absorptive capacity and inbound open innovation: evidence from SMEs in France

Abstract

Inbound open innovation (IOI) has become a potentially valuable means of gaining competitive advantage and enhancing organizational performance. This article explores how knowledge infrastructure capability (KIC) affects IOI through the moderating role of absorptive capacity. This research conceptualizes and develops three dimensions of KIC (technological, structural and cultural), and tests the relationships between KIC, absorptive capacity and IOI. Data for the study were collected from 125 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based in France, and the relationships proposed in the framework were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate that higher levels of KIC can lead to enhanced absorptive capacity and improved IOI. That is, KIC can have a direct, positive impact on absorptive capacity and IOI. Moreover, absorptive capacity partially mediates the linkage between KIC and IOI. The article contributes to the conceptualization of the impact of KIC on IOI, by emphasizing a firm’s absorptive capacity. It offers a validated instrument to measure KIC, and provides an empirical evidence of the impact of KIC on absorptive capacity and IOI. This article also extends the extant literature by focusing on KIC and absorptive capacity simultaneously in a model to understand the notion of IOI in the SMEs based in France. This study offers useful guidance for measuring and implementing KIC in a SME context and encourages further research in this area.     

Integration of the information systems in the production process: a case study

This paper evaluates the execution of an ERP – enterprise resource planning in a production process. The changes that were made to processes to make them compatible with ERP modules and adaptations that were required by the ERP implementation are presented. The presented study is different from the normal patterns of a vertical implementation, since its application is not direct. In order to use the standard modules of the ERP system, the internal processes were embellished and the data collection steps were integrated into the production process (production orders, inventory, production, daily consumption, daily output). The case study shows that the ERP implementation caused an improvement of the processes in the areas adjacent to production (purchasing, logistics, distribution, supply and sales). In conclusion, this paper presents the main advantages and disadvantages of the ERP system implementation, as well as some considerations and recommendations for the future ERP implementations.     

渐进式ERP实施战略的选择动机及影响机制:探索性案例研究

近年来,由于企业对ERP系统的投资越来越大,而且ERP对于企业的重要性也越来越被人们所认识到,与ERP有关的课题成为学术界的研究热点。许多研究表明,ERP的实施战略对于ERP实施的最终成败有着显著的影响。然而,已有文献却未曾对ERP实施战略开展过深入研究。本文通过案例研究方法,对"渐进式"这一非常重要的ERP实施战略进行了详细的分析。通过对案例公司的几位高层管理者的深入访谈,本文发现,在企业实施ERP系统的各个阶段,采用渐进式实施战略的动机包括经济压力、消化压力、技术准备、规避失败。此外,本文还归纳了当采用渐进式ERP实施战略时,会促进企业获得ERP实施成功的三个必要条件,分别是与ERP供应商的长期合作伙伴关系、有能力的并且持续的IT推动者、稳定的内部实施团队。基于这些研究发现,本文提出了一系列研究命题及一个关于渐进式ERP实施战略的理论模型。文章的最后还对本研究的理论和实践方面贡献进行了讨论。     

The Impact of Service Quality and Service Characteristics on Customer Retention: Small Businesses and their Banks in the UK1

The recent developments in relationship marketing have increasingly focused attention on the beneficial effects of customer retention. The notion of building relationships and delivering quality service in order to encourage loyalty is perhaps of particular importance in the service sector where it is often argued that customer attraction costs are significantly higher than retention costs. Central to the idea of investment in the development of service quality and customer relationships is the belief that such investments will enhance loyalty, retention and profitability. Empirical evidence on the extent to which such links exist is still partial. This paper explores the relationship between service qualitylcustomer relationships and customer loyalty and retention using evidence from the UK banking sector and its small business customers.     

Planning and Scheduling in Supply Chains: An Overview of Issues in Practice

This paper gives an overview of the theory and practice of planning and scheduling in supply chains. It first gives an overview of the various planning and scheduling models that have been studied in the literature, including lot sizing models and machine scheduling models. It subsequently categorizes the various industrial sectors in which planning and scheduling in the supply chains are important; these industries include continuous manufacturing as well as discrete manufacturing. We then describe how planning and scheduling models can be used in the design and the development of decision support systems for planning and scheduling in supply chains and discuss in detail the implementation of such a system at the Carlsberg A/S beerbrewer in Denmark. We conclude with a discussion on the current trends in the design and the implementation of planning and scheduling systems in practice.     

企业家提升企业创新能力的路径研究

企业家是中小企业最为核心的要素之一,是创新的发起人和关键支持者,对创新能力的培育和提升起着决定性作用.现有对企业家和创新能力的研究均强调了企业家的重要作用,但对于企业家如何提升企业创新能力未能给出有力解释.本文基于创新过程,结合企业家的职能,提出企业家提升创新能力的四条路径:清晰科学的战略规划,引导创新方向;整合、配置资源,提供组织制度保障,建立创新基础;鼓励学习和知识交流,培育组织能力:构建创新型文化,提高员工创新意愿和创新积极性.本文并采用单案例研究方法,选取浙江省某中小企业为例,具体分析了企业家提升创新能力的四条路径在企业中的实践.     

知识流模型及其在航天企业中的应用

知识管理的理论和实践吸引了众多学者和企业家的关注,但在具体的实施方法上一直没有形成共识。管理的对象是“知识”,对于知识流动的理解、监测乃至控制是顺利实施知识管理项目的基础。已有的研究对知识流的讨论集中于描述概念,或通过统计分析或调查问卷得到对专利、引用等知识流动的描述。把Petri网理论用在对知识流进行刻画中,提出知识流的Petri网模型,能够描述知识分布的拓扑结构、知识存量、一定时期的知识流量和流速,使得管理人员便于监控和管理知识流动,更好地实施知识管理。把基于Petri网的知识流模型应用于航天企业中,通过实证分析说明该知识流模型对知识流动的刻画能力,并通过对现状的分析,为改进知识流动效率,实现知识管理目标提供支持。     

Technology selection in the absence of standardised materials and processes: a survey in the UK composite materials supply chain

Composite materials is an industry where technology selection has major consequences as there is not a standard manufacturing process, nor are there standardised materials with defined or proscribed properties for companies to select as multiple solutions are technically viable. This research aims to identify key factors for manufacturing technology selection in the UK composite materials supply chain. Literature review and managers’ opinions were used to identify 18 factors affecting manufacturing technology selection. This was followed by a survey comprising the multi-tier supply chain of the composite materials industry. The results of the survey show ‘on time deliveries/service level to customers’, ‘improve quality’ and ‘reduce cycle time’ received the highest average ratings. In this study a correlation analysis was performed to identify the underlying dependencies between the factors investigated. The identification and use of underlying dependencies rather than highest average provided a more comprehensive picture of the factors that affect technology selection in the composite materials industry. For this study, experts in composite materials were asked to comment on the findings of the survey and their value to the industry. The results presented may assist companies in the composite materials industry with technology selection decision-making processes.     

Territorial Politics,Devolution and Spatial Planning in the UK: Results,Prospects, Lessons

This article critically analyses the debates which have unfolded in the aftermath of the Scottish independence referendum of 18 September 2014 concerning the constitutional arrangements of the UK as a plurinational state and the internal governmental structure of England. The debates unfolding in the UK reflect and illustrate two central themes in planning, territorial development and public policy. First, they highlight the contested distribution of power across multiple layers of government in states with an inherited centralized pattern of governance that are now facing strengthening regionalist and nationalist claims. Second, they illustrate the linked growth in the demand for new governance and strategic planning arrangements in large metropolitan areas with fragmented administrative and institutional boundaries. The article first discusses what the outcome of the Scottish referendum (and its aftermath) means for planning in Scotland. It then turns to the debates on devolution in the rest of UK which were stoked in the wake of the referendum, looking at the planning implications of further devolution in Northern Ireland and Wales, and at the possible consequences of the various options currently being aired to solve the ‘English question’. Finally, ongoing debates on decentralization to regions and city-regions in England are briefly considered.     

The perceptions of human resource development professionals in Taiwan regarding their working relationships with subject matter experts (SMEs) during the training design process

While the literature supports the importance of establishing a relationship between designers and subject matter experts (SMEs) in the training design process, this approach is not followed in all global practices. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of human resource development professionals in Taiwan regarding their working relationships with SMEs. The respondents of the study were HRD professionals who worked in high-tech companies located in a science park in Taiwan. The study found that a significant relationship exists between the ability to work with SMEs and current ability in the training design process among HRD professionals who had worked with SMEs. This study provides implications for the professional development of HRD practitioners and HRD practice in Taiwan companies. Cross-cultural issues are discussed to explain inconsistencies between the results and US-based perspectives on the training design process.     

区域知识管理对区域创新能力的影响研究

基于区域创新组织知识交互的视角,以知识吸收、知识合作和知识扩散为分析变量,选取我国2001 ～ 2011年30个省级面板数据为研究样本,实证分析了区域知识管理对区域创新能力的影响.研究表明,以国外技术引进合同金额为指标的区域知识吸收以及高校、研发机构和企业之间的区域知识合作对区域创新能力有显著正向影响;以技术市场技术流向地域合同金额为指标的区域知识扩散也对区域创新能力产生显著正向影响.规模以上工业企业引进技术对区域创新能力的影响是负向的,这表明应强化引进技术的消化和吸收,提高技术利用效率.技术市场的成交额对区域创新能力无显著影响,这说明应提高技术市场技术交易的质量,提升技术市场服务于区域创新的作用.