The review of extant empirical studies has brought about a number of possible research
directions (Table X). The authors call for intensive research activities specifically in the three
neglected KM areas outlined above; as only this would enable a holistic understanding of KM
in SMEs. In addition to the research directions proposed in Table X, the following research
questions/areas might be of interest. Regarding knowledge identification: Do SMEs use any
KM tools, e.g. knowledge maps, in the process of knowledge identification? What type of
knowledge is of interest? What are the triggers that initiate knowledge identification activities?
Do SMEs mainly have an internal view when trying to identify existing firm knowledge or do
they refer to external partners as knowledge sources as well? Concerning knowledge
storage/retention a better understanding of the measures used by SMEs to reduce the danger
of knowledge attrition is needed. The aging workforce will soon lead to increasing voluntary
turnover that cannot be compensated for by the smaller number of succeeding
individuals/manpower. What can/should be done to handle this challenge in SMEs? How
can SMEs overcome a possible ‘‘knowing-doing gap’’ (Pfeffer and Sutton, 2000)? Even
though managers of SMEs are aware of possible negative implications of departing
organization members, it seems that they accept this probability and that they risk the
consequences as well (Durst and Wilhelm, 2011). Finally, with regard to knowledge utilisation,
future research may examine how knowledge, whether new or existing, is actually used in
SMEs. What are the effects of knowledge utilisation on SME performance/competitiveness?