Int. J. Innovation and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2009 1 Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. External knowledge: the viewpoints from SMEs on organisational life cycles Pekka Kess, Kongkiti Phusavat* and Pensuda Jaiwong International Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering Department of Industrial Engineering Kasetsart University 50 Paholyothin Road Bangkok 10900, Thailand E-mail: pekka.kess@pp.inet.fi E-mail: fengkkp@ku.ac.th E-mail: g4785050@ku.ac.th *Corresponding author Abstract: An effective use of external knowledge can help Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) overcome many difficulties during various phases of its life cycle. The study’s overall goal is to define what external knowledge an SME needs to help strengthen business success. The interviews and surveys as well as the statistical analyses are applied. There are two different groups for SMEs when dealing with external knowledge: 1 the Idea and Growth phases 2 the Start-up, Maturity and Decline phases. For example, SMEs at the Maturity and Decline phases need help and advice on Research and Development (R&D). The subjects on green productivity and clean technology could be specifically provided to SMEs at the Growth phase. The research’s findings provide potential benefits to several public agencies. The illustration from the viewpoint of the Department of Industrial Work (DIW) in Thailand, especially on the design of new training programmes is made. Keywords: small- and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; external knowledge; organisational life cycles. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Kess, P., Phusavat, K. and Jaiwong, P. (2009) ‘External knowledge: the viewpoints from SMEs on organisational life cycles’, Int. J. Innovation and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp.1–14. Biographical notes: Dr. Pekka Kess is a Professor in Industrial Engineering and Management at the University of Oulu. His research interests include knowledge management and e-learning. He has extensive industrial experience from various chemical, steel, electronics and software companies. He also has a long history of European R&D projects. Currently, he is pursuing his second doctoral degree and is now a doctoral candidate at the International Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Kasetsart University.