The effect of information technology and knowledge management capability on R&D process performance

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to develop the theoretical links and empirically examine the association between IT and R&D performance, and their study is to answer management's questions: how should IT resources be organized and managed to enhance the process performance?

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is consistent with the process perspective to the question of IT business value, but this approach is extend. A basic premise of this paper is that the knowledge management (KM) capability could be a critical mediator between IT capability and process performance.

Findings

The results indicate that an organization's KM capability is dependent on IT capabilities, and variation in business process performance is explained by KM capability.

Research limitations/implications

On the one hand, control variables were not included in this study. In fact, firm size might influence process performance. On another hand, the empirical analysis was conducted in the context of one specific process in the manufacturing industry; thus, the generalizability of the results may be limited.

Practical implications

The results indicated that IT managers have to clearly understand the strategic thrust of the organization and institute mechanisms to ensure that IT capabilities are channeled toward the areas important to the organization.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the IT literature by introducing KM capability as a critical mediator between IT capabilities and business process performance, this study improves our understanding of the true business value of IT.

Citation

Ma, H., Peng, Y. and Shi, Y. (2009), "The effect of information technology and knowledge management capability on R&D process performance", Journal of Knowledge-based Innovation in China, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 43-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/17561410910912913