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Knowledge management in family businesses - Empirical evidence from Germany

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  • Helge Döring
  • Peter Witt

Abstract

The aim of this study is to survey the knowledge management tools and processes of family businesses. It compares theoretical models and their recommendations with the knowledge managements systems as established in German family firms. The focus of the empirical study is on the barriers and enablers of knowledge management as well as the moderating role of “familyness“. The findings show that many family firms do not use their full potential when it comes to the management of their collective knowledge base. Some aspects of their familyness influence the way in which they acquire, use und produce new knowledge positively. However, decision-makers inside the company are frequently not aware of this advantage. Especially the CEOs of small and middle-sized family businesses who are family members often lack a clear knowledge management strategy and do too little to improve knowledge processes in their companies. The findings reveal that bigger family firms manage their knowledge base much better than small and medium-sized ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Helge Döring & Peter Witt, 2020. "Knowledge management in family businesses - Empirical evidence from Germany," Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 175-187, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tkmrxx:v:18:y:2020:i:2:p:175-187
    DOI: 10.1080/14778238.2019.1621224
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    Cited by:

    1. Wolfgang Breuer & Jannis Bischof & Christian Hofmann & Jochen Hundsdoerfer & Hans-Ulrich Küpper & Marko Sarstedt & Philipp Schreck & Tim Weitzel & Peter Witt, 2023. "Recent developments in Business Economics," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(6), pages 989-1013, August.
    2. Sami Basly & Yosra Abdelwahed, 2023. "Commitment to Learning and Open Innovation in Family Firms: Exploring the Moderating Effect of Family-to-firm Identity Fit," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(2), pages 420-448, July.

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