Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of knowledge management as a tool for firms to adapt to an ongoing unprecedented crisis. Moreover, in considering the knowledge-based view of the firm, the study will ascertain the impacts, lessons learnt and how firms envisage their future under the current unpredictable regime from the viewpoints of firm owners/managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative data collection approach was selected, with face-to-face and online interviews undertaken with owners/managers of 33 firms operating in Singapore.

Findings

The data analysis reveals as many as eight dimensions pertaining to impacts, lessons learnt and the envisioned future of the firms. The relevance of knowledge management emerged, for instance, in supporting firms and staff to overcome initial challenges after the crisis became apparent. Knowledge management was also an exemplar of lessons learnt, through new knowledge development, strengthening links with consumers, through operational skilfulness and awareness, as well as in explaining how firms envision their future. These findings also underscore key tenets of the knowledge-based view of the firm.

Originality/value

Conceptually, the proposed dimensions stemming from the three examined research questions, together with the propositions and theoretical framework, contribute to a deeper understanding of the links between knowledge management and how firms confront a severe crisis. Empirically, the findings’ highlighted associations with knowledge management elements to illuminate how firms address the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the lessons learnt and the envisioned future of firms operating under severe crisis conditions.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 下公司的影响、经验教训和展望——对知识管理的影响

目的

本研究的目的是检验知识管理作为企业适应持续空前危机的工具的重要性。此外，在考虑公司基于知识的观点时，该研究将从公司所有者/经理的角度确定影响、吸取的教训以及公司如何在当前不可预测的制度下设想他们的未来。

设计/方法/方法

选择了一种定性数据收集方法，对在新加坡运营的 33 家公司的所有者/经理进行了面对面和在线访谈。

发现

数据分析揭示了与影响、经验教训和公司设想的未来有关的多达八个维度。例如，知识管理的相关性出现在支持公司和员工克服危机变得明显后的最初挑战方面。知识管理也是一个经验教训的范例，通过新知识的发展、加强与消费者的联系、通过操作技巧和意识，以及解释公司如何展望他们的未来。这些发现也强调了公司基于知识的观点的关键原则。

原创性/价值

从概念上讲，来自三个研究问题的建议维度，连同命题和理论框架，有助于更深入地理解知识管理与企业如何应对严重危机之间的联系。从经验上看，研究结果强调了与知识管理要素的关联，以阐明公司如何应对 COVID-19 危机的影响，以及在严重危机条件下运营的公司的经验教训和设想的未来。