Towards innovative work behavior through knowledge management infrastructure capabilities: Mediating role of functional flexibility and knowledge sharing

Abstract

Purpose

This study proposed a model based on knowledge management infrastructure capabilities (KMICs) to explore that how functional flexibility (FF) and knowledge sharing (KS) plays a mediating role between KMIC and innovative work behavior (IWB) among production-line workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 894 workers through self-administered questionnaires from manufacturing businesses. The outcomes of the study revealed that KMIC has a significant and positive relationship with IWB. Second, FF and KS fully mediate between KMIC and IWB. Finally, the moderating role of KS between KMIC and FF was also supported by this study.

Findings

This study offers the empirical evidence on how to flourish the mechanism of FF and KS in manufacturing concerns. Additionally, some facts are also highlighted by this study that should be eloquent options for HR managers to understand the nexus of KMIC, KS and FF for enhancing the IWB among production-line workers. Moreover, this study contributed to noteworthy inferences for management by focusing on KMIC as a fundamental organizational level factor for IWB via KS and FF.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the which emphasis on KMIC for explaining IWB through employee FF and KS in settings such as manufacturing concern where the implementation of new working methods is necessary.

Citation

Anser, M.K., Yousaf, Z., Khan, A. and Usman, M. (2021), "Towards innovative work behavior through knowledge management infrastructure capabilities: Mediating role of functional flexibility and knowledge sharing", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 461-480. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-09-2019-0250