Small And Medium-sized Enterprises - Customer "social Capital And Knowledge Learning Associated Mechanisms And Modalities

In the knowledge economy era, the research on learning activities between SME and its clients has received significant attention in the Resource-Based-View literatures. But there are some hidden problems in the learning process, for example, SMEs have no specific scheme. In our preliminary analysis, these problems are mainly caused by the lack of relationship asset, i.e. social capital between the two parties. Therefore, by focusing on the social capital between SMEs and their key clients, this paper seeks to explore the relationship between social capital leverage and knowledge learning. On the basis of the results attained, the article continues to outline learning model inhabited in different types of social capital, which helps identify the most effective way in improving learning efficiency and competitive advantages of SMEs.Based on the knowledge transfering view, the paper initially describes the process of the learning from the key client as four stages: knowledge transfer from the client, knowledge acquisiton, knowledge assimilation and knowledge exploitation. After defining the variables outlined above, the paper presents a mechanism and therefore poses research hypothesises, which are tested by questionnaires to over ninety SMEs. Significant results show that social capital is related to product-oriented knowledge acquisition through the leverage of knowledge ambiguity, learning commitment and learning access. However, while looking from the angle of managerial knowledge acquisition and exploitation, the model seems to be insignificant. After taking into account the elements of social capital, learning mechanism, learning agent, learning types and the contents, the paper summarizes four models, i.e. the model based the calculated trust, the model based on the interpersonal trust, the model based on the interorganizational trust and the model based on the general trust. Evidences from over ten enterprises show that the learning model based on the general trust produces the best learning efficiency.Finally, the author suggests that SMEs should construct the supporting system by changing the traditional views on competitiveness, frostering social capital, and setting up the learning platform. Meanwhile, SME should avoid getting into the learning trap by constructing dynamic learning network and consciously breaking the equilibrium.