Knowledge Sharing in IT Consultant and SME Interactions

  • Adrian Bradshaw James Cook University
  • Venkateswarlu Pulakanam University of Canterbury
  • Paul Cragg University of Canterbury
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1026
Keywords: Knowledge sharing mechanisms, Knowledge Assets, IT projects, IT Consultants, SME, Accounting Information Systems

Abstract

Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) depend on consultants to overcome knowledge barriers, especially for IT projects. This paper aims to determine how IT consultants affect the IT knowledge of SMEs when IT consultants and SMEs interact. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews with both IT consultants and SME managers. The study is the first to identify what and how SMEs learn from consultants during an IT implementation project. Consultants help SMEs gain different types of knowledge, employing a broad range of knowledge sharing mechanisms. As consultants are an important part of the knowledge creation processes of SMEs, SMEs should strive to form long-term relationships with consultants and use these interactions to develop IT knowledge within the SME.

Author Biographies

Adrian Bradshaw, James Cook University
Lecturer Business and IT
Venkateswarlu Pulakanam, University of Canterbury
Senior Lecturer College of Business and Law
Paul Cragg, University of Canterbury
Professor College of Business and Law
Published
2015-10-21
How to Cite
Bradshaw, A., Pulakanam, V., & Cragg, P. (2015). Knowledge Sharing in IT Consultant and SME Interactions. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 19. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1026
Issue
Vol 19 (2015)
Section
Research on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Copyright (c) 2015 Adrian Bradshaw, Venkateswarlu Pulakanam, Paul Cragg

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