The retail context: a case study of 4 UK based Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This case study will analyse the role of knowledge transfer in the development of revised retail marketing and management strategies in four retail Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that have each entered into two year Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs.) Interviews were conducted with senior managers of three completed projects and a content analysis was undertaken of review meeting minutes from all four projects. The findings clearly indicate that an innovative partnership approach is preferable to utilising elements of the traditional consultancy model when developing new retail initiatives. Furthermore, the embedding of core retail merchandising systems and marketing practices are highlighted as critical when ensuring sustainable growth and a return on partnership investment costs. Although not generalisable to other industry sectors, this case study provides timely insight in to some of the key issues faced by food and charity orientated retail SMEs as they engage with knowledge transfer processes. This paper is particularly relevant given the continued development of retail as an academic discipline in its own right and the recent (2013) ESRC Retail Sector Initiative which recognises "The UK retail sector is an important part of the economy and has a profound impact on the whole of our society."
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)230-243
Number of pages14
JournalThe Journal of Innovation Impact
Volume7
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 10 Nov 2014

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2014 Future Technology Press and the authors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The retail context: a case study of 4 UK based Knowledge Transfer Partnerships'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this