Knowledge Management Training for KIBS SMEs

This project resulted from an observed need related to knowledge management (KM) in knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For many years, the univ...

KNOWMAN's main objectives were to prepare and disseminate (i) an interactive guide and (ii) an e-learning, training module (Knowledge Pills) for helping KIBS SMEs to (better) manage their knowledge and be more successful with regard to their KM and related initiatives.

The following activities were implemented: - Interactive guide (IO1) To develop the guide, the partners conducted interviews with KIBS SMEs located in Estonia, Italy, Poland and Romania. In total, 40 KIBS SMEs were involved and 72 interviews were conducted in these companies. Each partner transcribed the interviews based on an interview guide that was developed by the consortium. The transcriptions of each partner were merged into one file, which formed the basis for mapping the KM challenges. The KM challenges were presented according to different KM practices such as the firms’ understanding of knowledge, their approaches to identifying and acquiring, documenting and storing, sharing, protecting, and applying knowledge. This mapping allowed a better understanding of risks and problems specific to KM activities in KIBS SMEs, and would identify and highlight possible solutions. The outcome of this mapping led to some best practices regarding different KM practices. The content of the guide emerged as a co-creative process, involving representatives from KIBS SMEs from all partner countries. It is also based on the vast experience of the partners (the university partners in particular) regarding research on KM in smaller firms in general and KM in KIBS SMEs in particular. - E-learning module (IO2) It is based on the Moodle platform, a widely used platform also in VET. The e-learning module is the output of the results of IO1 and feedback from the KIBS SMEs (the main end users of the learning module). The development and production of content for the e-learning course were divided among the partners. The university partners created videos and PowerPoint slides (translated into pdfs) for each KM category. Additionally, each university partner developed a set of questions to be answered by potential users to assess their understanding of Km in general or a specific KM category. The partner from 4Experience developed an augmented solution for the e-learning module, available to those users that are approaching the course from mobile phones or similar devices.

The first concrete result of the KNOWMAN project was an interactive guide designed to help organization members from KIBS SMEs better understand the challenges associated with KM. In addition, the guide contains recommendations for overcoming the associated difficulties. Additionally, the consortium developed a report that presents in more depth the KM challenges faced by the companies included in IO1. This report outlines the methodology used and presents the KM challenges-related findings per country involved in KNOWMAN. The e-learning platform presents another concrete output. It is an online learning tool designed for KIBS SMEs interested in improving and advancing their KM skills and competencies.