Exploring the Confluence of Knowledge and Local Practices to Comply with Global Standard Exploring the Confluence of Knowledge and Local Practices to Comply with Global Standard

Abstract

In the last few decades compliance and adherence to International standards or Global standards has become essential with  consumers global supply and business sustainability. Global standards dominate business sustainability and continuity, economic,  political, and even social relationships to the extent that even individual consumers decisions, choices, preferences, are influenced not  by families, peers, or colleagues but by the international standards. This paper mainly dealt with „How confluence of knowledge in the small and medium scale Bangladeshi leather industries (SMLI) manage indigenous knowledge creatively and employ such knowledge  in effectively managing their day-to-day operations. It also explores the nature of knowledge management for the SMLI in the  Bangladeshi context. In doing so, this qualitative research is based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation that  aimed at identifying key knowledge keepers, mapping knowledge topography, and exploring the management of tacit knowledge  while negotiating local-global pressure. The SECI model is used as an analytical raster/lens to explain how knowledge exchange is  created and diffused in the actual business operations of the SMLIs. This research also attempts to explore how knowledge dynamics  are tied to SMLIs‟ innovation and what is the process involved in innovation using indigenous knowledge. By investigating the process  of innovation for adaptation, this research also examines the dynamics of “knowledge flow” both horizontally and vertically in the  value chain which might help to maintain sustainable growth.