THE INTERFACE BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE SHARING PROCESS ON BUSINESS AND CORPORATE CULTURE: PERSPECTIVE FROM SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMES)

摘要

In recent years the concepts of knowledge management and corporate culture have often been in the centre of research projects aiming at SMEs. However, this paper looks at the interface between both potential competitive advantages from a different angle. The authors argue that the extent of knowledge sharing within a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) has an impact on the corporate culture with regards to the strength of employee motivation and the tendency towards collectivism. This assumption has been tested in the framework of a case study in three small companies, the employees of which filled out a questionnaire, which then has been analysed quantitatively. Research results have shown that, with regards to the research participants, there is a positive correlation between the extent of knowledge transfer and employee motivation, as well as between the extent of knowledge transfer and collectivism.