Turbulent and Dynamic Times: The Importance of Tacit Knowledge and Organizational Learning in a Young E-Commerce Company

Abstract

E-commerce is a sector that is experiencing rapid growth and is having a major impact on how consumers shop, how companies manage their branding and communications, and how transactions and deliveries are made. For new companies in this sector experiencing fast growth there are inherent management challenges. This qualitative study of a young, French e-commerce company, used semistructured interviews to assess tacit knowledge of its managers and employees. The study is designed to help identify critical organizational skills and address opportunities for learning so that the company may better leverage its organizational skills and knowledge as sustainable competitive advantages.