Sharing knowledge processes for promoting innovation in small businesses

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of sharing knowledge processes aimed at promoting innovation in small businesses. Design/methodology/approach - The empirical study was conducted in Israel on a sample of 202 businesses in face-to-face interviews. Findings - The study demonstrated that small businesses in the industry sectors that seek to promote innovation must implement processes for sharing knowledge. Interestingly, these processes contribute mainly to product, marketing and organizational innovation and less to process innovation. Practical implications - The study may contribute in a practical manner to assisting small businesses in the development and implementation of appropriate sharing knowledge processes for promoting innovation, and as a result, contribute to overall economic growth. Originality/value - This study enriches the body of knowledge on managerial processes and on sharing knowledge processes for promoting innovation in this group of businesses, which has rarely been the focus of studies on innovation. The use of face-to-face interviews as a research tool facilitated obtaining knowledge that is generally not readily accessible.