External business knowledge transmission : a conceptual framework
- Authors: Labas, Alan , Courvisanos, Jerry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Knowledge Management Vol. 27, no. 8 (2023), p. 2034-2057
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: This study aims to develop an original conceptual framework to guide research into knowledge transmission between professional external knowledge providers and their business clientele. As such, the framework aims to bridge a gap between theory and practice by explicating the processes which affect knowledge transmission and the conversion of knowledge for business application (i.e. knowledge transference). Design/methodology/approach: Key concepts from disciplines of knowledge management, information management, communications, services marketing and business advice are reviewed and integrated into the development of this framework. Underpinned by a critical realist philosophical lens, it provides a robust research guide for examining business advisor knowledge actions in a changing open environment. Findings: This study identifies that the process of knowledge transmission from a source external to a business is more complex than internal knowledge sharing. It addresses this complexity through a knowledge transmission framework, in a research design that is applicable to any methodological paradigm. Real-world application is identified in its applicability for evaluating mechanisms to facilitate knowledge transmission practices of external advisors to small business in regionally isolated communities. Research limitations/implications: The critical realist research methodology allows for causality in knowledge transmission to emerge; however, no assertion is made that the conceptual framework developed needs any particular philosophical paradigm for its application. Instead, what is asserted is that the research framework developed in this paper is specifically suited to the characteristics of external knowledge providers, their tacit knowledge and the businesses they service. Originality/value: This study reconceptualises various theoretical perspectives and develops a sequential process for addressing a research lacuna by specifically examining the processes (or connections) between external business advisor’s knowledge and their advisory actions. With these processes clearly established, the role of external knowledge providers, as knowledge transmitters, deepens the understanding of knowledge transference that up until now has focused typically on internal organisation aspects. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Government funded business programs : advisory help or hindrance?
- Authors: Labas, Alan , Courvisanos, Jerry
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Regional Studies Vol. 27, no. 1 (2021 2021), p. 88-112
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study seeks, through the perspective of Professional Business Advisors (PBAs), to understand how government business programs help and/or hinder the provision of small business advisory services in a regional (non-metropolitan) Australian setting. An emergent theme identifies such programs as significant conduits for regional business knowledge transmission. However, those programs are also perceived by PBAs, who deliver such programs, as imposing substantial constraints for provision of such services. The identified constraining factors include issues of PBAs’ financial viability, ineligibility of businesses to access such programs, capriciousness of programs, and clash between technology utilisation and infrastructure reliability in some non-metropolitan regional areas. Regional Australian PBAs service a heterogeneous collection of businesses across large geographic areas. Yet, the potential for PBAs to support the process of knowledge transmission is severely constrained by current government programs aimed at start-up businesses, but ignoring organisational growth. Such constraints raise concerns that have regional policy implications
Government business programs and regional business knowledge transmission by professional business advisor
- Authors: Labas, Alan , Courvisanos, Jerry
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Based on research seeking to understand mechanisms affecting the provision of small business advisory services in a Regional (non-metropolitan) Australian setting, by what are called Professional Business Advisors (PBAs), an emergent theme identifies government business programs and initiatives as significant conduits for regional business knowledge transmission. However, those programs and initiatives are also perceived to impose substantial constraints for PBAs providing services in regional communities. The identified constraining factors include issues of financial viability for PBAs, ineligibility of many regional small businesses to access government funded initiatives, capriciousness of government programs, and clash between technology utilisation and infrastructure reliability in some non-metropolitan regional areas. Regional Australian PBAs service a heterogeneous collection of businesses across large geographic areas. Yet, the potential influence that these PBAs have in the process of knowledge transmission is severely constrained by current government programs aimed both at start-up regional businesses and those pursuing organisational growth. Such constraints raise concerns that have regional policy implications.
Business advisor knowledge and knowledge transference : A conceptual framework
- Authors: Labas, Alan , Courvisanos, Jerry , Henson, Sam
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 28th Annual SEAANZ Conference Proceedings; Melbourne, Australia; 1st-3rd July 2015. p. 1-17
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Prior studies raise the question of how business advisors’ knowledge affects the provision of advice to small business. This paper recognises there is limited understanding of ‘how knowledge is connected to action’ and asks the question of how to research such an issue. A conceptual framework is derived from the literature to guide future empirical analysis exploring small business advisor knowledge and its transference. Two theories underpin this framework and illustrate the important role external advisors play in small business knowledge development - the theory of outside assistance as a knowledge resource, and theory of guided preparation as a guide to action based on advisor knowledge. The framework is underpinned by a critical realist methodology that allows actors (i.e. small business advisors) to operate in a changing environment. This critical realist philosophical lens enables the framework to uncover causal relationship between professional small business advisor knowledge foundations and knowledge transference.