Corporate universities as knowledge management tools

Purpose: Corporate universities (CUs) are particular educational arrangements that are established in companies to provide specific training to employees. This paper aims to examine the place of CUs in the knowledge-management (KM) field. Particularly, it discusses on how CUs are seen in the KM literature, analyses relevant KM aspects that emerge in CU implementation and management and proposes preliminary classifications based on some fundamental KM notions. Design/methodology/approach: Given the novelty of the research, the case study methodology was adopted. In particular, a multiple case-study investigation of CUs implemented in medium-sized companies mainly operating in the northeast of Italy was conducted. The analysed companies were selected according to “maximum variation sampling” approach, which aims at generating maximum meaningful heterogeneity within the chosen sample, to highlight similarities and differences between the cases. Data collection was conducted by means of interviews to key observers, interviews to company managers and analysis of documentary materials. Findings: The empirical investigation proves that KM concepts can be pertinent and useful in understanding the design and functioning of CUs. In particular, the study proposes a classification of CUs based on KM notions. Research limitations/implications: The study shows that there is a need to conduct further studies to better understand educational arrangements like CUs under a KM viewpoint. Practical implications: The analysis and the proposed classification can be of help for CU design and management. In addition, it is suggested that companies must achieve better awareness of the importance of CUs as an effective KM tool. Originality/value: The study contributes to deepen our understanding of an issue that, even if is strictly connected with the cognitive aspects of companies, has not been sufficiently analyzed by the knowledge management literature. © 2017, © Emerald Publishing Limited.