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11 – 20 of over 56000John Lindgren, Stephen Emmitt and Kristian Widén
The purpose of this paper is to study knowledge integration (KI) when diffusing a systemic innovation. The objectives are to understand what mechanisms are used and when and what…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study knowledge integration (KI) when diffusing a systemic innovation. The objectives are to understand what mechanisms are used and when and what their effects are in terms of knowledge development.
Design/methodology/approach
The method comprised a longitudinal case study which followed a firm’s attempts to develop and diffuse a timber multi-storey building system (the systemic innovation) over a number of projects.
Findings
The findings emphasize actual projects as the most crucial activity for KI and when and why soft personalization mechanisms and codified knowledge should be mixed. Furthermore, it shows how different types of knowledge are built-up including construction process effects over a series of projects.
Research limitations/implications
The research contributes with knowledge about mechanisms for the diffusion of a specific systemic innovation type and provides input regarding mechanisms to use. The introduction of the concepts “domain-specific,” “procedural” and “general knowledge” into construction has increased understanding of innovation diffusion and knowledge flows and where and how they are integrated.
Practical implications
The research shows how knowledge develops and through which mechanisms, and where problems occur. Construction organizations can learn from this to avoid mistakes and potentially better understand how to manage knowledge to diffuse a systemic innovation.
Originality/value
The research provides insight into systemic innovation diffusion over a series of projects and focuses on both projects and the construction process.
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This study aims to create and deploy new configurations of resources via understanding issues concerning generative knowledge integration (KI) to create a customer‐centric…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to create and deploy new configurations of resources via understanding issues concerning generative knowledge integration (KI) to create a customer‐centric relationship management system.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study of a public‐listed housing developer was conducted to analyze its main issues and conceptualize the underlying generative knowledge integration process.
Findings
Issues concerning generating KI were identified from the case study. The conceptualization of generative KI encompasses three main generative KI mechanisms, knowledge conceptualization, knowledge convergence, and knowledge assimilation, that are connected by three generative KI processes: accessing and exchanging knowledge, articulating and exchanging knowledge, and combining and exchanging knowledge.
Practical implications
The importance of understanding the concept of generative knowledge integration for practitioners is emphasized, and suggestions are given to promote the deployment of knowledge integration generation throughout system development.
Originality/value
The research conducted is unique in that a new model of generative knowledge integration is proposed, contributing to the knowledge integration literature in terms of the uncovering the three new generative KI mechanisms and processes.
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Sandor Lowik, Jeroen Kraaijenbrink and Aard Groen
The paper aims to understand how knowledge-intensive teams can develop and enhance their team absorptive capacity (ACAP) level, by exploring whether individual and organizational…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to understand how knowledge-intensive teams can develop and enhance their team absorptive capacity (ACAP) level, by exploring whether individual and organizational factors are complements or substitutes for team ACAP.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applies a configurational approach using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to identify combinations of individual and team factors that are associated with team ACAP. Data were gathered through a survey among 297 employees of four medium-sized Dutch firms, working in 48 functional teams.
Findings
The primary finding is that knowledge-intensive team ACAP depends on a triad of complementary factors: team members’ individual ACAP, factors that enable knowledge integration and factors that motivate knowledge integration. Underdevelopment of one or more factors leads to lower team ACAP.
Research limitations/implications
The study contributes to the discussion on the locus of knowledge-creation and enhances understandings of why knowledge-intensive teams differ in knowledge processing capabilities. It suggests future research on cross-functional teams in new ventures and large firms.
Practical implications
The paper informs managers and team leaders about the factors that determine knowledge-intensive teams’ ACAP, enabling them to develop team-specific strategies to increase their teams’ performance.
Originality/value
The study takes a holistic perspective on knowledge-intensive team ACAP by using a configurational approach. It also highlights the potential of team-level research in the knowledge management literature for both researchers and practitioners.
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Xinbo Sun, Donghui Zhao, Dapeng Zhang and Feng Tian
The concept of entrepreneurship in platform enterprises has evolved and developed. The purpose of this paper is to explore how entrepreneurship in platform enterprises can be…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of entrepreneurship in platform enterprises has evolved and developed. The purpose of this paper is to explore how entrepreneurship in platform enterprises can be transformed into the sustainable innovation capability of enterprises based on knowledge integration.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a questionnaire survey. The research samples are mainly from well-known domestic platform enterprises, EMBA students and professional online websites, 389 valid questionnaires were collected.
Findings
The results show that entrepreneurship has a positive impact on the sustainable innovation capability of platform enterprises, knowledge integration plays a partial mediating role between entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation capability of platform enterprises. Shared leadership plays a moderating role between entrepreneurship and knowledge integration and knowledge-sharing atmosphere plays a moderating role between knowledge integration and sustainable innovation capability of platform enterprises.
Originality/value
This paper emphasizes the key role of entrepreneurship in platform enterprises on the sustainable innovation capability and discusses the realization path of the sustainable innovation capability of platform enterprises from the perspective of knowledge integration, which is of great significance for developing the research system of entrepreneurship and promoting the construction of sustainable innovation capability of platform enterprises.
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Based on the knowledge-based view, this paper aims to uncover the formation mechanism of marketing dynamic capabilities (MDCs) in international firms and to examine the moderating…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the knowledge-based view, this paper aims to uncover the formation mechanism of marketing dynamic capabilities (MDCs) in international firms and to examine the moderating effects of learning culture, organizational structure and institutional distance on knowledge and knowledge integration.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a survey of 223 Chinese international firms and applied partial least squares path modeling to test the conceptual model.
Findings
The results indicated that both market knowledge dimensions (i.e. knowledge breadth and knowledge depth) and knowledge integration constitute important sources of MDCs. Specifically, knowledge breadth has direct and indirect effect on MDCs, while knowledge depth has indirect effect on MDCs; knowledge integration mediates the effects of knowledge dimensions on MDCs. Formalization and institutional distance significantly moderate the relationship between the breadth of knowledge and knowledge integration, whereas the learning culture shows little moderating effect on the above paths.
Originality/value
The authors identify an association between the knowledge-based view and the dynamic capability view, suggesting that a firm’s essential capability of knowledge integration constitutes a genesis of MDCs. In addition, while knowledge breadth strengthens MDCs, knowledge depth carries no direct effect, indicating that the attributes of knowledge have asymmetric influences on MDCs. The indirect effects of knowledge on MDCs through knowledge integration vary under different organizational conditions and institutional distances.
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Previous literature notes that more remains to be understood about the relationship between organizational knowledge and innovation. In this article the author seeks to argue that…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous literature notes that more remains to be understood about the relationship between organizational knowledge and innovation. In this article the author seeks to argue that innovation depends on efficient knowledge integration, while the latter depends on factors internal and external to product development teams.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a conceptual framework that takes into account firm‐internal knowledge integration of human and technological assets. In particular, the author analyzes and discusses knowledge integration mechanisms which a firm strategically deploys in the innovation process.
Findings
Knowledge‐relatedness, the extent to which product development teams are specialized in related scientific or technological fields, is proposed as an important moderator for the relationship between operating routines and innovative performance. If many product development teams perform well, innovative firm performance will increase.
Research limitations/implications
The author notes the need for empirical inquiry which can build on the theoretical model. Other possible moderators, such as the physical proximity of knowledge‐related product development teams and the frequency of knowledge‐related personnel transfer from one product development team to another, would be interesting avenues for further research.
Practical implications
Specifying operating routines with respect to integrating functional and technological knowledge can result in innovative firm performance.
Originality/value
The article adds to the knowledge‐based view of the firm while analyzing how a firm can make use of its heterogeneous knowledge for innovation. The author shows how knowledge‐relatedness moderates the relationship between operating routines for new product development teams and innovative performance.
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Zhengyun Rui and Kalle Lyytinen
New ventures search for external knowledge to break through the prevailing knowledge and resource constraints. The influence of search mechanisms can be assessed against the…
Abstract
Purpose
New ventures search for external knowledge to break through the prevailing knowledge and resource constraints. The influence of search mechanisms can be assessed against the backdrop of internal factors such as the venture’s knowledge integration (KI) capability. The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of knowledge search depth (KSD) and knowledge search breadth (KSB) on innovation outcomes and asks to what extent such effects are mediated by levels of KI.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors distinguish between the current depth and width of the firm’s knowledge base as to detect their possible moderating effects. The authors test the model using data collected from 167 Chinese start-ups.
Findings
The results show that KSB has a positive effect on KI and innovation performance, but KSD has an inverted U-shaped effect on KI and innovation performance. KI plays a mediating role between external knowledge search and innovation performance, while the breadth of the venture’s knowledge base positively moderates the relationship between explorative KI and innovation performance, and the depth of knowledge base positively moderates the relationship between exploitive KI and innovation performance.
Originality/value
These results differ from earlier research focusing on mature enterprises.
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Xiaoli Li, Zihan Peng and Kun Li
This study aims to explore the mechanism of boundary-spanning search on firm’s innovation performance under environmental dynamics from the perspective of strategic knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the mechanism of boundary-spanning search on firm’s innovation performance under environmental dynamics from the perspective of strategic knowledge integration.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among Chinese firm managers and R&D personnel, resulting in the collection of 315 valid samples. Hierarchical regression analysis was mainly adopted to demonstrate the hypothesized relationships, while the Sobel test and bootstrap method were used to further validate the mediating effects.
Findings
The results demonstrate that boundary-spanning search in different dimensions is a critical factor in the improvement of firm innovation performance (FIP). Two types of strategic knowledge integration are the main factors causing FIP and mediate the influence of boundary-spanning search on FIP. Furthermore, environmental dynamics moderate the relationship among boundary-spanning search, strategic knowledge integration and FIP.
Practical implications
Managers need to strengthen the boundary-spanning search for market and technical knowledge, which will promote firm innovative performance. Managers also need to implement strategic knowledge integration, which specifically includes using planned strategic knowledge integration to compensate for knowledge deficiencies, thereby achieving predetermined objectives; and using emergent strategic knowledge integration to update their understanding of internal and external environments, and to reset strategic objectives. In dynamic environments, managers should emphasize strategic knowledge management activities more.
Originality/value
From a strategic management perspective, this study categorizes strategic knowledge integration into planned and emergent forms. By applying the logic of knowledge acquisition, integration and creation, it explores how boundary-spanning search affects FIP through strategic knowledge integration as the intermediary and the boundary conditions of environmental dynamics. This not only provides a deeper understanding of the nature and effects of boundary-spanning research but also enhances the theory of strategic knowledge management.
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Shu‐Chen Kao and ChienHsing Wu
The purpose of the paper is to conduct an exploratory study that proposes a personalized knowledge integration platform for digital libraries which can provide users with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to conduct an exploratory study that proposes a personalized knowledge integration platform for digital libraries which can provide users with personalized information and knowledge services.
Design/methodology/approach
A prototype system (PIKIPDL) is designed and developed with two types of service, i.e. personalized information/knowledge service and personalized subject category service. Evaluation of the PIKIPDL by domain specialists and software experts is conducted. Comments are implications are addressed.
Findings
The main findings include the following: the proposed system can help suggest materials that readers are interested in for DL; the proposed system can help construct knowledge contents in a hierarchical structure; and a common recommendation concerning knowledge structure from the reviewers is that the proposed system should add a self‐organizing knowledge map function that would allow users to view knowledge subjects in a graphic manner.
Practical implications
The results from the evaluation of reviewers revealed that the proposed PIKIPDL is acceptable to the integration of both personalized information service and personalized knowledge subject service. This implies that librarians and DL software agents should place emphasis on integrated service development to attract the attention of their users. Towards this goal, they could explain that personalized services (e.g. material recommendation, message recommendation, knowledge subject materials) with a mechanism of multi‐resource integration can help provide DL resources according to users' needs and wants, and in consequence to enhance DL service efficacy.
Originality/value
The research describes the importance of information/knowledge integration with respect to its support on the learning and study methods of users, and has developed a personalized knowledge integration platform as a mechanism that provides a personalized information service and a personalized knowledge subject category service. By employing Apriori algorithm and association rules as the data mining mechanism, personalized information recommendations are derived from circulation data, and a knowledge subject category is integrated from online sharing knowledge by participants.
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The essence of core competitiveness in an enterprise is the ability to embed knowledge into the routine work of the enterprise and to transform personal knowledge into corporate…
Abstract
Purpose
The essence of core competitiveness in an enterprise is the ability to embed knowledge into the routine work of the enterprise and to transform personal knowledge into corporate assets. The purpose of this paper is to explore this area.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reviews three interoperated variables of external knowledge acquisition, enterprise knowledge accumulation, and knowledge accumulation mechanism to construct a model of knowledge interoperability within firms.
Findings
This study finds that in the thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT‐LCD) industry, implicit knowledge collected through the interactive coordination mechanism has a significant impact on the knowledge accumulation of the enterprise, where knowledge is accumulated in real technology systems and employees’ skills. The more willing companies are to invest resources in the shaping of knowledge and the environment, the more successful they will be in transforming implicit knowledge into explicit knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
This study points to a new direction of interchanging implicit and explicit knowledge within firms.
Practical implications
This study argues that an improved interoperability of firm‐level knowledge can mitigate problems of knowledge integration and sharing, leading to better decisions and greater partner synergies.
Social implications
Knowledge transformation allows employees to share and transfer valuable experience and knowledge within the enterprise and forms a knowledge‐intensive corporate culture or work environment, creating so‐called learning‐ and innovation‐oriented enterprises.
Originality/value of paper
This study provides the impetus of valuable experience and knowledge of employees to be fully shared and passed on, resulting in a corporate culture and working atmosphere that creates the so‐called learning‐oriented enterprise or innovative enterprise.
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