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1 – 10 of over 8000Paavo Ritala, Aino Kianto, Mika Vanhala and Henri Hussinki
Firms need to constantly renew themselves to keep up with the pace of competition and proactively establish innovations to the markets. This requires capabilities in learning and…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms need to constantly renew themselves to keep up with the pace of competition and proactively establish innovations to the markets. This requires capabilities in learning and renewing of the firm’s knowledge base, conceptualized as renewal capital of the firm. On the other hand, firms that acquire high levels of competitiveness by renewing their knowledge base also need to protect that knowledge from unwanted spillovers. This study aims to examine how renewal capital affects incremental and radical innovation performance of the firm, moderated by the firm’s protection of its strategic knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a multi-industry survey study with a time-lagged data set, with independent variables collected in the first wave, followed by a second wave four years later for the dependent variables. The authors test the hypotheses using partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings
The authors find that firms’ renewal capital is positively associated with the level of incremental and radical innovation. Furthermore, the authors find that knowledge protection negatively moderates the relationship between renewal capital and incremental innovation performance of the firm. In case of radical innovation performance, similar moderating effect is not statistically supported.
Originality/value
With a time-lagged research design, this study study reveals the interdependent roles of renewal capital and knowledge protection for firm’s innovation performance, and provides insights of when (and when not) it would be beneficial for a firm to seek renewal and protective oriented approaches.
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Stefan Thalmann, Ronald Maier, Ulrich Remus and Markus Manhart
This paper aims to clarify how organizations manage their participation in networks to share and jointly create knowledge but also risk unwanted knowledge spillovers at the same…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to clarify how organizations manage their participation in networks to share and jointly create knowledge but also risk unwanted knowledge spillovers at the same time. As formal governance, trust and observation are less applicable in informal networks, the authors need to understand how members address the need to protect knowledge by informal practices. The study aims to investigate how the application of knowledge protection practices affects knowledge sharing in networks. The insights are relevant for organizational and network management to control knowledge risks but harvest the benefits of network engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors opted for an exploratory study based on 60 semi-structured interviews with members of 10 networks. In two rounds, network managers, representatives and members of the networks were interviewed. The second round of interviews was used to validate the intermediate findings. The data were complemented by documentary analysis, including network descriptions.
Findings
Through analyzing and building on the theory of psychological contracts, two informal practices of knowledge protection were found in networks of organizations: exclude crucial topics and share on selected topics and exclude details and share a selected level of detail. The authors explored how these two practices are enacted in networks of organizations with psychological contracts.
Originality/value
Counter to intuition that the protection of knowledge can be strengthened only at the expense of knowledge sharing and vice versa, networks benefitted from more focused and increased knowledge sharing while reducing the risk of losing competitive knowledge by performing these knowledge protection practices.
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The number of online communities has increased rapidly with the development of the Internet. Although these communities provide users with knowledge-sharing channels, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The number of online communities has increased rapidly with the development of the Internet. Although these communities provide users with knowledge-sharing channels, the enthusiasm of the users for participation remains low. Ecosystem theory, social cognitive theory, and some other theories emphasize the importance of environmental factors and hypothesize that the behavior of users is affected by personal factors and environmental factors. In this study, the authors investigated the impact of platform environmental factors on knowledge-sharing behavior and improved the platform environment construction of online communities.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors analyzed the influencing factors of online community knowledge-sharing from the perspective of the platform environment, constructed a research model, and proposed relevant hypotheses. Then, the authors designed a questionnaire and conducted a survey, and finally tested the hypotheses by using the method of structural equation model.
Findings
The results showed that community trust, community management, community incentive, community atmosphere, and community information protection had a significant positive impact on community knowledge-sharing behavior. Community trust played a significant intermediary role in the relationship between community management, community incentive, community information protection, and knowledge-sharing behavior; community information protection only affected knowledge-sharing behavior through community trust. Additionally, community atmosphere did not directly affect knowledge-sharing behavior through the intermediary of community trust.
Practical implications
This study showed that theoretical supplements and practical guidance are significant for conducting research and managing knowledge-sharing in the online community. They help community managers pay more attention to the construction of an online community platform environment.
Originality/value
In this study, the authors analyzed the influencing factors of online community knowledge-sharing from the perspective of the platform environment and introduced community trust as an intermediary variable. The research perspective and model of this study are novel to some extent.
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Joel Nakitare, Fredrick Otike and Lydiah Mureithi
Commercial entities have recently expressed growing interest in commercialising indigenous knowledge (IK) due to its enormous economic and intrinsic value. As this happens…
Abstract
Purpose
Commercial entities have recently expressed growing interest in commercialising indigenous knowledge (IK) due to its enormous economic and intrinsic value. As this happens, custodial communities must not be disadvantaged in the process. This paper aims to understand the legal framework of the commercialisation of IK to identify the opportunities and factors impeding or affecting the commercialisation of indigenous knowledge in Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a qualitative research approach. An extensive exploratory literature review of existing legal instruments was done to establish the progress and gaps for commercialising indigenous knowledge in Kenya.
Findings
The study shows that the legal framework of IK in Kenya is inadequate. There are no well-established frameworks and policies to protect IK in Kenya, and thus, host communities are subjected to exploitation. The diversity of tribes and communities makes it challenging to have a clear framework, mainly because IK is a devolved function. The study identifies the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act 2016, The National Museums and Heritage Act 2006 and the Natural Products Industry as the key milestones towards commercialisation of IK, while inadequate documentation of IK, communal ownership and inadequate legislation were identified as the main impediments to commercialisation of IK in Kenya.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the diverse cultures and tribal communities in Kenya, the research could not access all the literature on all traditional IK in Kenya, and very few case studies have been conducted in Kenya.
Practical implications
The gaps identified in the legal framework can form a basis for legislation, policy change, actions and research needed to improve the commercialisation of IK.
Originality/value
The paper underscores the importance of balancing economic empowerment with preserving cultural integrity and protecting indigenous rights in commercialisation.
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Herman Belgraver, Ernst Verwaal and Antonio J. Verdú‐Jover
Prior research from transaction costs economics argued that central firms perform better because they have superior access to information to discipline their alliance partners…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior research from transaction costs economics argued that central firms perform better because they have superior access to information to discipline their alliance partners. Central firms may also, however, face higher costs and risks of unintentional learning and weaken their competence through structural inertia. We propose that these costs and risks are influenced by the learning capacities of the firms in the network and can explain different outcomes for focal firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
To test our predictions, we use instrumental variable–generalized method of moments estimation techniques on 15,517 firm-year observations from equity alliance portfolios in the global food industry across a 21-year window.
Findings
We find support for our predictions and show that the relationship between network degree centrality and firm performance is negatively influenced by partners’ learning capacity and positively influenced by focal firms’ learning capacity, while firms with low network degree centrality benefit less from their learning capacity.
Research limitations/implications
Future developments in transaction cost economics may consider partner and focal firms’ learning capacity as moderators of the network degree centrality – firm performance relationship.
Practical implications
In alliance decisions, managers must consider that the combination of high network degree centrality and partners’ learning capacity can lead to high costs, risks of unintentional learning, and structural inertia, all of which have negative consequences for performance. In concentrated industries where network positions are controlled by a few large firms, policymakers must acknowledge that firms may face substantial barriers to collaboration with learning-intensive firms.
Originality/value
This study is the first to develop and test a comprehensive transaction cost analysis of the central firm’s unintended knowledge flows and structural inertia in alliance networks. It is also the first to incorporate theoretically and empirically the hazards of complex and unintended information flows on the relationship of network degree centrality to performance in equity alliance portfolios.
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Matthew Heinrich and Natalie Gerhart
While research on privacy concerns is rich in understanding and depth, there is still not a clear understanding of why people express having privacy concerns, but do not behave…
Abstract
Purpose
While research on privacy concerns is rich in understanding and depth, there is still not a clear understanding of why people express having privacy concerns, but do not behave consistently with their concern. We propose that this misalignment derives from a diverse set of privacy boundaries, depending on the user. This research builds on prior Communication Privacy Management Theory research to further define individual privacy boundaries. Beyond that, we evaluate the relationship between the privacy boundaries people set, and their ability to protect themselves.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted to assess how private individuals find twenty items. Along with measuring the sensitivity of information, we collected responses on the Online Privacy Information Literacy test to measure differences in sensitivity based on privacy knowledge. 285 participant’s responses were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis and K-means clustering.
Findings
We identify five different groups of privacy indicators. Our findings also suggest that users have limited understanding of how to keep data private, even if they have high privacy concerns.
Originality/value
We contribute to theory by offering guidance on how to better apply theoretical understanding, based on our results. More explicitly, we offer analysis that suggests boundary conditions might be absent from current theoretical understanding. Practically, we offer guidance for understanding privacy differences, which is important to understanding how to implement privacy protection laws.
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Marya Ahmad, Khurshid Ahmad and Rubina Bhatti
This study aims to measure the acceptance of digital resources by integrating knowledge management (KM) factors (i.e. acquisition, sharing, application and protection) into the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to measure the acceptance of digital resources by integrating knowledge management (KM) factors (i.e. acquisition, sharing, application and protection) into the factors of the technology acceptance model (TAM) (i.e. perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) and their impact on actual system use through behavioural intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the quantitative research method, a survey was conducted of the public sector universities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from postgraduate students and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings showed that the factors of KM with the integration of TAM significantly impact the acceptance of digital resources. The study’s hypotheses are all supported, and the findings demonstrated that knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, knowledge application and knowledge protection significantly influenced perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and that these factors are positively correlated with behavioural intentions to use digital resources.
Originality/value
This study has considerable significant implications for policymakers, developers and practitioners in designing digital resources. This study will also assist librarians to discover areas for development that may enhance the use of digital resources among users
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Sayed Muhammad Fawad Sharif, Yang Naiding and Sayed Kifayat Shah
Collaborative projects require overlapping skills and capabilities to facilitate knowledge transfer. However, not all kinds of learning are virtuous and some may lead to leakage…
Abstract
Purpose
Collaborative projects require overlapping skills and capabilities to facilitate knowledge transfer. However, not all kinds of learning are virtuous and some may lead to leakage of commercially valuable knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to explain and restrain leakage of organizational competitive knowledge in collaborative projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 398 survey questionnaires are collected from project-based firms in Pakistan. We gathered data from horizontal and vertical collaborations. Analysis is conducted with transaction cost economics lens through Process Macro 3.0.
Findings
Findings suggest that partner’s learning intent (PLI) and distrust positively affect knowledge leakage, whereas human resource management (HRM) practices have negative effect on knowledge leakage. Furthermore, HRM practices negatively moderate the relationship between PLI and knowledge leakage and distrust positively mediates it.
Research limitations/implications
This study integrates HRM with knowledge management to restrain knowledge leakage and contributes to knowledge management and strategic management. This study examines knowledge leakage in the presence of passive opportunism.
Originality/value
This study explains how passive opportunism translates into opportunistic behavior. Besides, effectiveness of HRM practices are least surveyed to restrain passive and active opportunisms.
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Md. Rafiqul Islam Rana and Song-yi Youn
This study explores the role of knowledge management capabilities (KMCs) in enhancing competitive advantage and organisational performance in fashion retailing. Employing the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the role of knowledge management capabilities (KMCs) in enhancing competitive advantage and organisational performance in fashion retailing. Employing the resource-based view (RBV) and knowledge-based view (KBV) perspectives, it investigates the interplay between managing knowledge effectively and fashion products’ complexity. The goal is to provide new insights into optimising KMC for greater agility and success in the fashion retail industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analysed survey data from 322 US fashion retail professionals using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The results revealed that knowledge infrastructure capability enhanced both competitive advantage and organisational performance significantly. In contrast, knowledge process capability did not significantly affect competitive advantage, it improved organisational performance. Importantly, product complexity moderated the relationship between competitive advantage and organisational performance negatively.
Practical implications
This study underscores the necessity for retailers in the fashion industry to enhance their KMC to bolster competitive advantage and organisational performance, while it also acknowledges product complexity’s effect on these strategies. These insights offer actionable guidance for industry leaders to optimise knowledge management to navigate the rapidly evolving retail landscape.
Originality/value
This research offers novel insights into the interplay of product complexity and KMC in fashion retail and highlights the unique effects on competitive advantage and organisational performance valuable for both academia and industry.
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Zhihong Tan, Ling Yuan and Qunchao Wan
Based on social cognitive theory, this study aims to explore the influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality (SBLM) on employee knowledge behavior (knowledge territorial…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on social cognitive theory, this study aims to explore the influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality (SBLM) on employee knowledge behavior (knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior). The study first investigates the role of an ethical decision-making mechanism (moral disengagement) in mediating this relationship. In addition, it considers the possible boundary conditions to supplement research on the influence of SBLM in the knowledge management field.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected 256 data points from employees across three stages using convenience sampling. The authors then tested the proposed hypothesis using hierarchical regression and bootstrap methods.
Findings
The results demonstrated that SBLM promotes employees’ moral disengagement, leading to more knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior. Furthermore, high power distance orientation among employees exacerbates the ill effects of SBLM according to the first stage of a moderated mediation model. Employees with such an orientation are more likely to respond to a SBLM by exhibiting a higher level of moral disengagement, thus increasing their knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior.
Originality/value
Research on the influence of SBLM in the knowledge management field is limited. This study not only clarifies the relationships between SBLM and two types of knowledge behavior (knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior) but also enriches the research on the antecedents of these two types of knowledge behavior.
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