Knowledge Management in the automotive supply chain: exploring suppliers’ point of view

The paper investigates the implementation of Knowledge Management (KM) projects in five first-tier suppliers. The aim is to understand the management concern about the various forms of knowledge exchange and generation. We assumed that firms with peculiar needs of information integration might have a better attitude towards KM activities. Therefore, we selected five successful firms whose exclusive knowledge act as key-factor. Managers see the development of KM as a necessary step to improve and/or maintain competitive advantage, and are aware of the significant difference existing between Information Management and KM. Consequently, KM projects are often supported by learning activities.