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This paper proposes that the study of boundary brokering roles offers indications on the formation and the exchange of common knowledge. The notion of common knowledge is elusive and, although it has been identified as an important underlying factor in the effectiveness of Knowledge Management practices in SMEs, there is little understanding of how, where and when it emerges in organisations. This study deployed a qualitative approach to investigate work practices in five European Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of varying sizes, as part of the EU FP7 OrganiK project. The conceptual frameworks for boundary activities provided by Wenger (2002) and Carlile (2002, 2004) were adapted for the analysis of social interaction in these organisational contexts. We found that, although not explicitly described as such, the management of knowledge bases is an important factor in the way these organizations operate. Different types of knowledge brokering practices occurred via either formalised roles specifically created for the purpose or through undefined informal interactions between co-workers. These knowledge brokering roles are important for the formation of common knowledge, as the knowledge workers in question hold highly significant knowledge (in effect, acting as knowledge silos), that is crucial to the daily operation of the organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]