Pathways for Knowledge Exchange in SMEs in Software-Driven Knowledge Intensive Business Services

This paper presents pathways for knowledge exchange as regards innovation in R&D-active SMEs in software-driven knowledge-intensive business services in a capital city environment. A semi-structured qualitative analysis focusing at social capital enablers for knowledge exchange reveals that interpersonal social proximity is the primary driver for knowledge exchange. Structural enablers for knowledge exchange include accessibility for clients, geographical proximity to research partners, temporary places for formal and informal meetings, specialization and diversification in terms of human resources skills, and informal interpersonal networks. Market and government-related goals, access to public funding and possibilities for lobbying, as well as openness to a multicultural environment, are all underlying cognitive factors. Relational social dimensions include organized trust in terms of neutral ground, goodwill trust-based interpersonal weak ties, and mutually-embedded businesses and processes with institutions.status: publishe