A knowledge-based perspective on the professionalization of SMEs: A systematic literature review and future research directions

Abstract

This paper provides a synthesis of theoretical and empirical work related to the professionalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from a knowledge-based perspective. A systematic literature review consisting of three major steps of planning, conducting, and reporting is conducted. Articles are identified, selected, and deductively coded. Quantitative and qualitative methods are employed to analyze the articles. The finalized list includes 78 articles and 48 journals, with the oldest article published in 1980 and the most recent articles published in 2022. The findings showed that the empirical works (n=69) outnumbered the conceptual works (n=9). Most articles focused on the organizational level of analysis and identified causal conditions, modes, intervening conditions, and consequences. A multidimensional characteristic of professionalization emerged inductively as an additional attribute. This paper provides a synthesis of the current literature and offers a research agenda to academics and practitioners interested in the professionalization of SMEs from a knowledge-based perspective.