Purpose

This paper aims to provide a synthesis of theoretical and empirical work related to the professionalization of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from a knowledge-based perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review consisting of three major steps of planning, conducting and reporting is conducted. Papers are identified, selected and deductively coded. Quantitative and qualitative methods are used to analyze the papers. The finalized list includes 78 papers and 48 journals, with the oldest paper published in 1980 and the most recent papers published in 2022.

Findings

The findings showed that the empirical works (n = 69) outnumbered the conceptual works (n = 9). Most papers focused on the organizational level of analysis and identified causal conditions, modes, intervening conditions and consequences. A multidimensional characteristic of professionalization emerged inductively as an additional attribute.

Originality/value

This paper provides a synthesis of the current literature and offers a research agenda to academics and practitioners interested in the professionalization of SMEs from a knowledge-based perspective.

中文翻译：

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基于知识的中小企业专业化视角：系统文献综述和未来研究方向

目的

本文旨在从基于知识的角度提供与中小企业专业化相关的理论和实证工作的综合。

设计/方法论/途径

进行了系统的文献综述，包括规划、实施和报告三个主要步骤。论文被识别、选择和演绎编码。使用定量和定性方法来分析论文。最终名单包括 78 篇论文和 48 种期刊，其中最旧的论文发表于 1980 年，最新的论文发表于 2022 年。

发现

调查结果表明，实证作品（n = 69）多于概念作品（n = 9）。大多数论文侧重于组织层面的分析，并确定因果条件、模式、干预条件和后果。专业化的多维特征作为附加属性归纳出现。

原创性/价值

本文对当前文献进行了综合，并从基于知识的角度为对中小企业专业化感兴趣的学者和从业者提供了研究议程。