Knowledge Management within Onboarding Practice in Small Software Companies

The software industry is one of the most dynamic branches of the economy in which knowledge plays an important role in achieving success and surviving in the market. Given the openness of the market, globalization, and labour turnover in the software industry, local small software companies are increasingly challenged to attract, onboard, and retain software engineers. This paper aims to present the authors experiences in inquiring onboarding practice in a local small software company, with focus on the role of knowledge management in onboarding process. The study is based on the field work in the company, with the use of qualitative research methods, ensuring that findings are grounded in the real practice. Based on the study findings, recommendations for the practice in small software companies and researchers are discussed.