Martin, L and Root, D (2010) Learning experiences for South African SMEs: Interactions with established contractors. In: Egbu, C (ed.) Proceedings of 26th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-8 September 2010, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
Knowledge is key to the economic survival of any organization. For small emerging companies to achieve stability in their development knowledge is crucial and has to be acquired. Using an organizational learning approach a series of cases studies of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and their interactions with large established companies were conducted. Interactions were mapped against the learning experiences of the SMEs that resulted. The findings showed that the nature of the relationships between the companies shape knowledge acquisition. Typical mechanisms of knowledge acquisition through interaction with established companies exist, and are content and context dependent. In order to foster learning, tailor-made learning environments using relations with other actors in the industry can be created.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | development; knowledge transfer; mentorship; organizational learning |
| Index terms: | stability, knowledge acquisition, interaction, organizational learning, learning experience, knowledge transfer, survival |
| Subjects: | behavioral psychology, environmental science, research dissemination and communication, student development, professional development, structural engineering, learning methods |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Education, Research Practice, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here