A Computer Simulation Model of Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Agri-Food Enterprises

Abstract

System dynamics is an appropriate tool to build management models due to its ease of application in solving unstructured problems. In the twenty-first century the sustainability of organizations is influenced by the way it manages its knowledge. In this sense, knowledge management (KM) represents a strategy that contributes to improving the production supply chain (SC) of the agri-food industry (AFI). The objective of this research is to develop a computer model to simulate the effect of KM on the production of AFI. The methodology applied was that of the system dynamics by using the Vensim PLE ® v. 5.10 software, whose determining indicators were selected through an empirical study of KM in the SC of precooked corn flour industry in Venezuela. The study concluded that the balanced implementation of KM practices in the strategic dimension and in the functional dimension achieved an increase in production through the stabilization of the system. Further evaluation of the methodology developed in other agro-industrial environments is recommended.