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Linking knowledge acquisition, knowledge dissemination, and manufacturing SMEs’ sustainable performance: the mediating role of knowledge application

Ibraheem Saleh Al Koliby (School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia and Department of Marketing and Production, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen)
Norazah Mohd Suki (Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia and Institute of Sustainable, Growth and Urban Development (ISGUD), Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia)
Haim Hilman Abdullah (School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia)

The Bottom Line

ISSN: 0888-045X

Article publication date: 17 November 2022

Issue publication date: 21 November 2022

508

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of knowledge acquisition and dissemination on the sustainable performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, the mediating role of knowledge application in this relationship is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 428 manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The results reveal that knowledge acquisition significantly impacts the sustainable performance of manufacturing SMEs, and knowledge application partially mediates this impact. Cutting-edge knowledge from within or outside the organization enables a deeper understanding of information regarding new products/services, a list of competing suppliers, consumer preferences and so on.

Research limitations/implications

This study combined the knowledge-based view theory and the triple bottom line framework into a unified conceptual framework and examined the impact of knowledge acquisition and dissemination on manufacturing SMEs’ sustainable performance as well as the mediating role of knowledge application on manufacturing SMEs’ sustainable performance.

Practical implications

Manufacturing SMEs should emphasize knowledge application in business operations and encourage employees to develop and enhance their knowledge acquisition and dissemination to leverage knowledge in ways that enhance business operations, produce new products and generate new knowledge assets.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that it highlights the partially mediated effects of knowledge application on the linkages between knowledge acquisition and manufacturing SMEs’ sustainable performance and the fully mediated effects of knowledge application on the association between knowledge dissemination and sustainable performance of manufacturing SMEs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their insightful comments and suggestions.

Citation

Al Koliby, I.S., Mohd Suki, N. and Abdullah, H.H. (2022), "Linking knowledge acquisition, knowledge dissemination, and manufacturing SMEs’ sustainable performance: the mediating role of knowledge application", The Bottom Line, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-12-2021-0123

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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