Title: Mechanisms of intergenerational knowledge transfer among Indonesian family SMEs

Authors: Gabriella Hanny Kusuma; Nurul Indarti

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, Jl. Babarsari No. 43, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Sosio Humaniora, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia

Abstract: This qualitative study explores the mechanisms of intergenerational knowledge transfer in family small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. The samples were selected via theoretical sampling from 14 companies, totalling 23 participants. The results show that the process of transferring knowledge from the predecessor to the successor in family SMEs in Indonesia is gradual, from easy to difficult. The learning process stages are based on the successor's level of understanding. The successor is given responsibilities in the beginning; these increase as the successor matures. This study identified the presence of two stages in the process of knowledge transfer: awareness development and implementation. The first stage can be further classified into two subcategories: awareness development with passive involvement and awareness development with active involvement. The second stage is facilitated by gradual role adjustment between the predecessor and the successor.

Keywords: qualitative; case studies; family firm; SMEs; intergenerational knowledge transfer mechanisms; developing country; Indonesia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2017.085427

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2017 Vol.31 No.4, pp.475 - 491

Received: 12 Dec 2015
Accepted: 31 Mar 2016
Published online: 26 Jul 2017 *

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