Structured knowledge transfer in small and medium sized enterprises

Small and medium sized companies face the problem that handing over management or key positions often lead to loss of knowledge and decision competence. The loss of knowledge often causes miss-management, decrease of efficiency and also effectiveness in key processes. In the paper a structured hand over process handling detailed preparation, extensive know-how transfer and guided introduction of the successor will be introduced as well as a case study in a manufacturing SME. Major topic of the structured knowledge transfer process is to enable organizations to plan and handle leaving or retirement of key persons without loss of key competence.