Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships

This article investigates the role of trust in knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the conversion of the knowledge to knowledge-related outcomes. The specific context of the research is the weak client–firm exchange relationship where neither party expects further...

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Main Authors: Geneste, Louis, Galvin, Peter
Format: Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6913
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author Geneste, Louis
Galvin, Peter
author_facet Geneste, Louis
Galvin, Peter
author_sort Geneste, Louis
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This article investigates the role of trust in knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the conversion of the knowledge to knowledge-related outcomes. The specific context of the research is the weak client–firm exchange relationship where neither party expects further transactions. Research has overlooked these relationships as a potential source of resources, especially knowledge-based resources, because they are considered devoid of trust. An empirical analysis of survey data collected from 293 SME owners was undertaken using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The findings suggest that trust contributes to an SME owner’s acquisition of knowledge from the ‘one-off’, arm’s-length client, and that weak client–firm exchange relationships should not be overlooked as a potential source of knowledge to the SME.
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publishDate 2014
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-69132017-09-13T14:39:53Z Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships Geneste, Louis Galvin, Peter weak client–firm exchange relationships knowledge-related outcomes trust SME development knowledge acquisition arm’s-length relationships This article investigates the role of trust in knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the conversion of the knowledge to knowledge-related outcomes. The specific context of the research is the weak client–firm exchange relationship where neither party expects further transactions. Research has overlooked these relationships as a potential source of resources, especially knowledge-based resources, because they are considered devoid of trust. An empirical analysis of survey data collected from 293 SME owners was undertaken using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The findings suggest that trust contributes to an SME owner’s acquisition of knowledge from the ‘one-off’, arm’s-length client, and that weak client–firm exchange relationships should not be overlooked as a potential source of knowledge to the SME. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6913 10.1177/0266242613497379 Sage Publications restricted
spellingShingle weak client–firm exchange relationships
knowledge-related outcomes
trust
SME development
knowledge acquisition
arm’s-length relationships
Geneste, Louis
Galvin, Peter
Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
title Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
title_full Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
title_fullStr Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
title_full_unstemmed Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
title_short Trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
title_sort trust and knowledge acquisition by small and medium-sized firms in weak client–firm exchange relationships
topic weak client–firm exchange relationships
knowledge-related outcomes
trust
SME development
knowledge acquisition
arm’s-length relationships
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6913