Navigating change: examining the influence of COVID-19 on knowledge-sharing dynamics in family firms within the restaurant and fast-food industry
Journal of Knowledge Management
ISSN: 1367-3270
Article publication date: 29 March 2024
Issue publication date: 25 July 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on knowledge-sharing drivers in small- and medium-sized family firms within the restaurant and fast-food industry. The pandemic has led to significant changes in business culture and consumer behaviour, accelerating digital transformation, disruptions in global supply chains and emerging new business opportunities. These changes have also influenced knowledge sharing (KS) and its underlying drivers.
Design/methodology/approach
To address the research objectives, a two-phase study was conducted. In the first phase, an exploratory analysis using the Delphi method was used to identify the essential drivers and factors of KS in family businesses (FBs). This phase aimed to establish a conceptual model for the study. In the second phase, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the identified knowledge-sharing drivers. The study examined both the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods to capture the shifts in attitudes towards KS.
Findings
The findings indicate a significant shift in attitudes towards knowledge-sharing drivers. Before the pandemic, organisational drivers played a central role in KS. However, after the emergence of the pandemic, technological drivers became more prominent. This shift highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on KS within FB.
Originality/value
The research contributes to understanding knowledge-sharing in the context of FBs and sheds light on the specific effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on knowledge-sharing drivers. The insights gained from this study can inform strategies and practices aimed at enhancing KS in similar organisational settings.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Corrigendum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Rezaei, M., Gündüz, C., Ghamgui, N., Pironti, M. and Kliestik, T. (2024), “Navigating change: examining the influence of COVID-19 on knowledge-sharing dynamics in family firms within the restaurant and fast-food industry”, Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-09-2023-0815, displays Nizar Ghamgui’s affiliation incorrectly. This error was introduced during the submission process. Nizar Ghamgui (Department of Strategy, EDC Paris Business School, Paris, France and Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, EM Normandie Business School, Paris, France) has been changed to Nizar Ghamgui (EM Normandie Business School, Métis Lab, Paris, France). The authors sincerely apologise for this error and for any misunderstanding.
Citation
Rezaei, M., Gündüz, C., Ghamgui, N., Pironti, M. and Kliestik, T. (2024), "Navigating change: examining the influence of COVID-19 on knowledge-sharing dynamics in family firms within the restaurant and fast-food industry", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 28 No. 7, pp. 1978-1995. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-09-2023-0815
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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