Mechanisms of intergenerational knowledge transfer among Indonesian family SMEs

摘要

This qualitative study explores the mechanisms of intergenerational knowledge transfer in family small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. The samples were selected via theoretical sampling from 14 companies, totalling 23 participants. The results show that the process of transferring knowledge from the predecessor to the successor in family SMEs in Indonesia is gradual, from easy to difficult. The learning process stages are based on the successor’s level of understanding. The successor is given responsibilities in the beginning; these increase as the successor matures. This study identified the presence of two stages in the process of knowledge transfer: awareness development and implementation. The first stage can be further classified into two subcategories: awareness development with passive involvement and awareness development with active involvement. The second stage is facilitated by gradual role adjustment between the predecessor and the successor.