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KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS AND TOOLS IN SMES: LITERATURE REVIEW AND A SURVEY |
Assist. Prof. Dr. Halit KESKŻN Abstract: Contemporary organizations need to manage their knowledge effectively in order to survive and sustain their competitive advantages. Knowledge management is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large organizations. Knowledge management process, having a function as supporting the strategic management process, involves the phases of determining the knowledge gap, developing and buying knowledge, knowledge sharing and evaluating knowledge. Many tools are used in each phase. Widespread and effective application of knowledge management tools means the effective execution of the process. The survey focuses on the prevalence of the usage of knowledge management tools in SMEs. The research evaluates data obtained from 218 SMEs in or nearby Gebze. Findings indicate that knowledge management tools are not used widespread in SMEs, thus effective knowledge management processes are not executed in these organizations. The weaknesses of SMEs regarding knowledge management is more evident for the phases of knowledge sharing and evaluating knowledge. SMEs, as organizations having great importance for Turkish economy, need to improve the prevalence and effectiveness of the usage of knowledge management tools by the help of both internal arrangements and external support.
Key Words: SMEs, knowledge, knowledge management process, knowledge management tools, strategic management process
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