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Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises

Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2025.

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Other Authors: Mamabolo, Anastacia
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2026
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Mamabolo, Anastacia
author_browse Mamabolo, Anastacia
author_facet Mamabolo, Anastacia
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109201
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:38:14.452Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2026
publishDateRange 2026
publishDateSort 2026
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109201 Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises Mamabolo, Anastacia ichelp@gibs.co.za Oliphant, Yolanda UCTD Knowledge transfer Knowledge diffusion Knowledge exchange Business model innovation Absorptive capacity Business Model Canvas Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2025. SMMEs face challenges greater than those of larger companies, due to limited human and capital resources. These challenges are further exacerbated by the constraints imposed by the size of the SMMEs. Thus, to adapt to environmental changes and gain legitimacy, SMMEs must explore alternative ways to create value, achieve growth and competitive advantage. In exploring value creation and sustainable growth, this study explores the role of knowledge transfer in driving innovation to transform SMME business models into BMI. The study employed a qualitative methodology and gathered in-depth insights from the experiences of sixteen participants into the mechanisms of knowledge transfer and the various components of BMI, using the Business Model Canvas as the framework lens and anchored the study in knowledge-based theory. Further, the study explored other value chain aspects, in particular absorptive capacity and how SMMEs can build and use this capability to aid knowledge transfer, innovation, and enhance BMI. The study developed a theoretical framework for understanding and applying knowledge transfer aimed at driving innovation and BMI, particularly for SMMEs. The study noted subtle differences compared with the literature; however, these were mainly valuable to practitioners for improving their operations and the BMI process. Overall, the study's outcomes were consistent with the existing literature and, therefore, potentially contributed to the dynamic, ever-growing literature on BMI. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MPhil (Corporate Strategy) Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure 2026-03-23T09:40:20Z 2026-03-23T09:40:20Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109201 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Knowledge transfer
Knowledge diffusion
Knowledge exchange
Business model innovation
Absorptive capacity
Business Model Canvas
Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises
title Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises
title_full Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises
title_fullStr Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises
title_short Knowledge transfer: a driver of business model innovation within the South African micro, small and medium enterprises
title_sort knowledge transfer a driver of business model innovation within the south african micro small and medium enterprises
topic UCTD
Knowledge transfer
Knowledge diffusion
Knowledge exchange
Business model innovation
Absorptive capacity
Business Model Canvas
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109201