EXPLORING THE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS (CSFs) Of KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN SMEs: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: Role of SMEs lags behind for providing strategic support to society in a developing country’ context by offering increased financial outcome [1]. Purpose of this paper is to explore and classify the critical success factors (CSFs) of KM in SMEs to address competitiveness by bridging the dimensions gap on account of potential, process, and performance through expounding the black box of knowledge economy (KE) in context of developing countries.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Subsequent of review of literature on KM, a new set of KM CSFs were classified by adding three new insights as the most appropriate and desirable factors for SMEs’ success. Theoretical discussion provided justification to the new set of KM CSFs.

Findings: CSFs govern and facilitate the effective implementation of KM in SMEs. By comprehending the tally of good critical factors (GCF), SMEs can ensure success of KM. However, development of CSFs needs extra care for growth and change in the field of SMEs in developing countries.

Practical Implications: The proposed set of CSFs may serve as a road map for SMEs while adopting KM path. The study provides academics and practioners to focus the factors crucial for KM success in SMEs.

Originality/Value: This study provides an investigative perspective of CSFs for implementing KM in the SME sector.

Keywords: Knowledge management (KM) Critical success factors (CSF) Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).