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Customer Knowledge Management in SMEs Facing Digital Transformation

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Castagna

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Piera Centobelli

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Roberto Cerchione

    (Department of Engineering, University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale di Napoli, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Emilio Esposito

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Eugenio Oropallo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Renato Passaro

    (Department of Engineering, University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale di Napoli, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

This paper provided a novel definition of customer knowledge management (CKM) as the logical intersection of customer relationship management (CRM) and knowledge management (KM). The main aim was to investigate the digital technologies supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in creative industries in their customer knowledge management strategies. To achieve this aim, a survey involving 73 handicraft and/or retail SMEs operating in luxury jewelry industry was conducted. The survey results pointed out that in a few years the scenario has changed and that surveyed SMEs make more intensive use of traditional technologies supporting customer knowledge management processes rather than more innovative digital technologies, which are also cheap and easy to use. This finding showed the difficulties of SMEs operating in creative industries to be responsive to the rapid technological changes that are affecting CKM, as well as the lack of support from information technology vendors in the decision-making process for choosing adequate digital systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Castagna & Piera Centobelli & Roberto Cerchione & Emilio Esposito & Eugenio Oropallo & Renato Passaro, 2020. "Customer Knowledge Management in SMEs Facing Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3899-:d:356241
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