Knowledge creation and deployment in the small, but growing, enterprise and the psychological contract

Abstract

This paper contains an account of a small scale investigation into the usefulness of the concepts of the learning organisation and organisational learning when seeking to describe the processes of knowledge creation and deployment within the small, but growing, enterprise (SME). A review of the literature reveals a concern that the relationship between individual and collective learning in organisational settings is little understood. Focussing on this concern it is argued that when planning, leading and managing interventions to encourage and support entrepreneurial learning within organisational contexts, successful outcomes are more likely when leaders and managers have an informed appreciation of how the processes of psychological contracting can often influence people’s behaviours.

Keywords:

• small and medium size enterprises
• knowledge creation and deployment
• entrepreneurial learning
• psychological contract