GESTIóN DEL CONOCIMIENTO, LIDERAZGO, DISE？O E IMPLEMENTACIóN DE LA ESTRATEGIA: UN ESTUDIO EMPíRICO EN PEQUE？AS Y MEDIANAS EMPRESAS

this study has the aim to identify the existence of significant relations between knowledge management, leadership styles and the strategy design and implementation. the research works with a sample of 78 top managers of small and medium-sized firms in northern chile. the results show that the transformational and transactional leadership have a positive impact on the strategy design quality. in addition, the knowledge creation and application are a significant determinant in the strategy quality; as well the strategy design is a decisive determinant to the strategy implementation. therefore, the leadership styles and the knowledge management are relevant to achieve better results in the strategy design and implementation in small and medium-sized firms.