Intellectual capital, knowledge management, knowledge economies and innovation: the case of small asset management firms in Ireland

The purpose of this study is to examine how Ireland-based small asset management firms (SAMFs) rely on their knowledge-based assets and practices in order to innovate and possibly generate organisational performance within a challenging industry, and within knowledge economies. This study considers three levels of analysis: firm level, industry level and techno-economic paradigm (TEP) level. The study employed qualitative case study utilising semi-structured interviews (n = 35), observations and documentation. Results show that above average organisational performance results from innovation grounded in knowledge-based assets and methods, and the endeavour to achieve an alignment between firm, industry and TEP levels. This research provides empirical insights on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) knowledge assets and practices in an industry seldom studied. It also investigates the different interactions between knowledge management, intellectual capital, TEP and innovation.