Abstract
Knowledge transfer is an essential part of growth in any environment. Small family-run businesses
have a unique advantage in their abilities to transfer knowledge. A lot of literature that has explored
knowledge transfer in small family-run businesses is directed to the contribution of knowledge
transfer in the succession process. In this research study, research was carried out to find out how
and why knowledge is transferred within a small family-run business. A qualitative study was
conducted using one-on-one interviews with predecessors, successors and non-family employees
working in a small family-run business. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their
knowledge transfer methods and practices in the business. The aim of this research was to identify
the extent of knowledge transfer in a small family-run business by analysing the transfer practices
within the business as well as how they are unique from non-family-run businesses. The results from
the case study in this research revealed that apprenticeships, mentorships, and learning-by-doing
are common practices in small family-run businesses. It was also revealed that the process of
knowledge transfer begins early in the successor’s life and can continue for many years after that.
Therefore, knowledge transfer is dependent on the receiver and it is not simply an act of replicating
what has been transferred but also building on the transferred knowledge with experiences that are
unique to the individual.