Journal of Knowledge Management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the generation and transfer of knowledge in information technology-related small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach – Based on a survey of 105 employees from 30 organizations in Barcelona, Spain, the authors use a structural equation approach to validate the conceptual model.

Findings – Personal motivation and the opportunity to learn from other employees are critical to generate knowledge. The attitudes and abilities of those who take part in the transfer process are also relevant, and this is especially true in cases when knowledge is highly tacit. Personal development is one example of knowledge-based organizational and social development.

Practical implications – The results point to the importance of the roles of managers and employees as bearers of initiative, voluntary effort and commitment. At the same time, they suggest that the firm's strategic planning process should include the knowledge to be transferred.

Originality/value – Two phases of knowledge management are studied, generation and transfer in IT-related SMEs, and this study demonstrates how these processes are relevant.