Knowledge creation in facing change: community resilience through resources and capacities in microbusinesses internationalization

Purpose This article examines the connections between knowledge creation (KC) and resources and capacities as dimensions of community resilience (CR) in the internationalization of microbusinesses in Finland. For microbusinesses, which are firms with a very limited number of staff, it’s essential to have sufficient resources and capacities to create knowledge and increase resilience in challenging situations, such as internationalization. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected in December 2021 from Finnish microbusinesses participating in business coaching services in Poland and Finland. Findings Internationalization is challenging and requires knowledge-creating interaction. The paper suggests that when knowledge is created in interaction with the community, the community’s experience of resilience is strengthened. In the study, resources and capacities are divided into place-based, sociopolitical, financial, physical and human resources and capacities. The paper highlights resources and capacities, i.e. collaboration opportunities, and digitalization in rural areas, financing options, budgeting and cost management skills, and willingness and ability to interact and negotiate. Practical implications The results of this study can be used widely in the planning and implementation of business coaching services and are particularly beneficial to microbusinesses in creating knowledge to build resilience. Originality/value This study introduces the concept of CR to the field of Library and Information Studies (LIS) and contributes to the research of KC by addressing, i.e. resources and capacities in knowledge-creating interaction.