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Knowledge Sharing as a Value-Adding Initiative for South African SMME Sustainability: A Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Visvanathan NAICKER

    (Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa)

  • Suzaan LE ROUX

    (Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa)

  • Juan BRUWER

    (Independent Researcher)

  • Juan-Pierré BRUWER

    (Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa)

Abstract

Knowledge management is deemed as an important tool for an array of firms across the globe to fortify their overall sustainability. In particular, the proper management of knowledge inside a firm should allow for better efficiency and effectiveness. One of the facets of knowledge management is that of knowledge sharing; better understood as the dissemination of knowledge (insight) to such an extent, and in such a manner, that it assists with the solving of problems and/or the creation of solutions within a firm. Albeit the aforementioned, is appears that small businesses (SMMEs) in South Africa do not make use of sound knowledge sharing initiatives as they have one of the worst sustainability rates in the world. Through the conduct of non-empirical research, this matter was theoretically investigated where it was found that the lack of knowledge sharing as a value-adding initiative within South African SMMEs is assumed to have a theoretically adverse influence on the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability in these firms. Taking into account the findings, it was concluded that ultimately, the knowledge sharing initiatives in South African SMMEs are incomprehensive in their coverage to provide general guidance as to how these firms can share knowledge as to provide reasonable assurance surrounding their effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability in the foreseeable future. Moreover, relevant hypotheses were developed as avenues for further empirical research.

Suggested Citation

  • Visvanathan NAICKER & Suzaan LE ROUX & Juan BRUWER & Juan-Pierré BRUWER, 2017. "Knowledge Sharing as a Value-Adding Initiative for South African SMME Sustainability: A Literature Review," Expert Journal of Business and Management, Sprint Investify, vol. 5(2), pages 51-60.
    • Handle: RePEc:exp:bsness:v:5:y:2017:i:2:p:51-60
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Van Rensburg, Nickey Janse & Telukdarie, Arnesh & Dhamija, Pavitra, 2019. "Society 4.0 applied in Africa: Advancing the social impact of technology," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    knowledge; Knowledge sharing; management; SMMEs; South Africa; sustainability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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