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1 – 10 of over 176000Domitilla Magni, Armando Papa, Veronica Scuotto and Manlio Del Giudice
A paucity of studies has used a microfoundation lens to examine servitization processes in internationalized knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) companies. The research…
Abstract
Purpose
A paucity of studies has used a microfoundation lens to examine servitization processes in internationalized knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) companies. The research aims to bridge this gap by considering knowledge sharing as a form of both codified knowledge and informal feedback knowledge; it also assesses whether the adoption of knowledge transfer and translation practices in a servitization process positively moderates the effect of knowledge transformation on knowledge sharing for internationalized KIBS companies.
Design/methodology/approach
By adopting a microfoundation lens, the research offers an empirical analysis to identify the relations between codified and tacit knowledge in servitization processes within internationalized KIBS companies. The study is based on 326 respondents from 30 KIBS companies. A multiple regression analysis was used for hypotheses testing.
Findings
The authors found significant relations among the use of electronic documents in the servitization process (formal codified knowledge), personal advice in servitization (informal feedback knowledge) and knowledge sharing in internationalized KIBS companies. Findings also support the indirect effect assumed in the hypothesis between knowledge transformation and knowledge sharing in internationalized KIBS companies, which is positively moderated by the adoption of cross-cultural knowledge practices in the servitization process.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research provides the first conceptual model of the use of a microfoundation lens to examine knowledge sharing in internationalized KIBS companies. The micro level features individual knowledge sharing in the servitization process, while the meso level focuses on knowledge transformation in KIBS companies and the adoption of knowledge transfer and translation practices in the servitization process.
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Matthew J.W. McLarnon, Ian R. Gellatly, David A. Richards and Ofer Arazy
Past research on the motivational processes underpinning knowledge sharing has assumed that the sharing processes are similar for all individuals. Yet, sharing is a fundamental…
Abstract
Purpose
Past research on the motivational processes underpinning knowledge sharing has assumed that the sharing processes are similar for all individuals. Yet, sharing is a fundamental affiliative behavior, and the sharing processes can differ between people. This study aims to propose and test a model of the moderating influence that employee attachment patterns have on the theory of reasoned action (TRA)-defined knowledge sharing processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors administered a questionnaire to 1,103 employees from a range of industries who participated in an online Qualtrics survey. Advanced forms for structural equation modeling and latent profile analysis were used to assess the proposed model.
Findings
The results revealed that participants in the study exhibited the latent profiles corresponding to secure, dismissive, preoccupied and fearful patterns. The preoccupied cohort had the lowest knowledge sharing behavior, yet the strongest links within the sharing process. Secure, dismissive and fearful had similar sharing levels, but the strength of the TRA-defined processes differed. These findings underscore equifinality: although sharing may be approximately equal across different attachment patterns, the fundamental processes underpinning sharing differ.
Research limitations/implications
The authors used self-report data, given that sharing attitudes, norms and intentions may not be overly amenable to ratings even from well-acquainted others. Further, the use of advanced analytical methods helps to minimize common method concerns. Additionally, causal mechanisms underscoring the TRA have been demonstrated (Ajzen and Fishbein, 2005), allowing us to explore the moderating role of attachment patterns.
Practical implications
This study speaks to the importance of considering employees’ attachment patterns, and developing comprehensive intra-organizational norms, policies and systems that support and encourage knowledge sharing from employees with a variety of attachment patterns.
Originality/value
This study uniquely contributes to knowledge sharing literatures by incorporating attachment patterns as moderators within the TRA-defined sharing processes. The authors provide important insights on the role of individuals’ attachment patterns have for knowledge sharing behaviors, but also highlight how structure of knowledge sharing differed across subgroups of employees, determined based on their dispositional attachment pattern.
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This paper aims to explore the influence of a principal’s leadership in kicking off knowledge management (KM) implementation and the following KM processes in the school. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influence of a principal’s leadership in kicking off knowledge management (KM) implementation and the following KM processes in the school. The author tries to propose a model of knowledge leadership for principals to adopt at the beginning of KM journey and during the process of KM implementation. The paper shares the lessons learned during the process of implementation: what he has done and what should be improved. Thus, this paper can provide a model for school principals to implement KM in their schools. This paper also sheds light for KM researchers about the issue of leadership during KM implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an action research (AR) to explore how the principal’s leadership can enhance KM implementation in a school environment and evaluates the effectiveness of the knowledge leadership framework for KM implementation in a school setting. An insider AR methodology was adopted to study and reflect on the processes of KM implementation and lessons learned. Multiple data sources, including observations, questionnaires and interviews, have been collected for evaluation.
Findings
In this study, the principal kicked off KM in the school. It was found that KM “cannot” be implemented without the principal’s effective knowledge leadership. If there was only little KM leadership, such as the leadership in Stage 1, the launching of KM was found to be difficult. After awareness of the need of strengthening leadership in Stage 2, the principal exercised stronger leadership in pushing the KM process further, and the school had more obvious KM outcomes. Therefore, this study proves that leadership is essential for KM implementation, especially at the beginning of the KM processes. The principal acted as the knowledge leader with the roles of the knowledge vision builder, knowledge enabler builder and knowledge role model. The roles of knowledge leadership are found to be potent and critical for the process of KM implementation to facilitate sharing information/knowledge and nurturing a sharing culture and trust. In this study, the principal kicked off KM in the school. It was found that KM “cannot” be implemented without the principal’s effective knowledge leadership. If there was only little KM leadership, such as the leadership in Stage 1, launching KM was found to be difficult. After awareness of the need of strengthening leadership in Stage 2, the principal exercised stronger leadership in pushing the KM process further, and the school had more obvious KM outcomes. Therefore, this study proves that leadership is essential for KM implementation, especially at the beginning of the KM processes. The principal acted as the knowledge leader with the roles of knowledge vision builder, knowledge enabler builder and knowledge role model. The roles of knowledge leadership are found to be potent and critical for the process of KM implementation to facilitate sharing information/knowledge and nurturing a sharing culture and trust.
Research limitations/implications
Although the results of the study conducted in one school may not be generalized to other school contexts, the lessons learned in the study might be a reference to other schools for their future development. Because of his unique position as the principal in the researched school, the researcher adopted an insider approach generating value for investigation of KM implementation in this study, as there were multiple mediating processes through which leaders could influence school functioning, and, hence, knowledge sharing or other issues in KM implementation.
Practical implications
This study could contribute toward KM implementation in the public sector, especially in schools. Moreover, the approaches, the strategies, the processes and the challenges the principal and the school faced can shed light on practice and research for further KM implementation. In addition, although leadership has been commonly regarded as an important factor in KM implementation, few studies have explored the impact of leadership during the KM process. With the principal’s leadership as the main component, this study is important for an analysis of the role of leadership during the process. The framework of knowledge leadership adopted in this study has been tried and evaluated to be applicable and necessary for KM implementation in a school environment.
Social implications
Most people might think that KM can be applied only in the commercial sector. This study shows that KM can also be adopted in schools and in other sectors. Moreover, it shows that the principal’s leadership was the key driver for KM implementation. The principal’s leadership with clear direction and thoughtful procedures of implementing may be a showcase for the leaders in other sectors.
Originality/value
Fullan (2002) mentions the essence of KM in schools, the importance of principals’ leadership in the promotion of KM in schools, the moral purpose and knowledge sharing and leadership and sustainability, but he does not provide any practical suggestion for how principals can become knowledge leaders. Therefore, this paper hopes to further propose a model to show how to help a principal transform into a knowledge leader to overcome barriers and difficulties in kicking off KM at the beginning of their KM journey and during the process of KM implementation.
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Imran Ali, Ata Ul Musawir and Murad Ali
This study aims to propose an integrated model to examine the impact of knowledge governance, knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity (ACAP) on project performance in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose an integrated model to examine the impact of knowledge governance, knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity (ACAP) on project performance in the context of project-based organizations (PBOs). This study also examines the moderating role of social processes on the relationships among these variables.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the proposed model, cross-sectional data were collected regarding projects from 133 PBOs in Pakistan’s information technology/software industry. The data were analyzed using the partial least squares – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method and PRCOESS tool. Finally, this study also uses causal asymmetry analysis to check asymmetric relationship in the key constructs.
Findings
The results generally support the proposed model. Knowledge governance and knowledge sharing are important antecedents for improving the ACAP of the project, which in turn significantly improves project performance. Additionally, social processes positively moderate the relationship between knowledge sharing and ACAP, as well as between ACAP and project performance.
Research limitations/implications
The findings suggest that PBOs should invest in developing a knowledge governance system that guides and stimulates knowledge sharing within and between projects. This would boost the ACAP of projects and lead to superior project performance.
Originality/value
This study addresses the important issue of knowledge management in IT/software projects. It proposes a unique model that integrates the key constructs of knowledge management and describes their effect on project performance.
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Ronen Harel, Dafna Schwartz and Dan Kaufmann
The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of sharing knowledge processes aimed at promoting innovation in small businesses.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of sharing knowledge processes aimed at promoting innovation in small businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical study was conducted in Israel on a sample of 202 businesses in face-to-face interviews.
Findings
The study demonstrated that small businesses in the industry sectors that seek to promote innovation must implement processes for sharing knowledge. Interestingly, these processes contribute mainly to product, marketing and organizational innovation and less to process innovation.
Practical implications
The study may contribute in a practical manner to assisting small businesses in the development and implementation of appropriate sharing knowledge processes for promoting innovation, and as a result, contribute to overall economic growth.
Originality/value
This study enriches the body of knowledge on managerial processes and on sharing knowledge processes for promoting innovation in this group of businesses, which has rarely been the focus of studies on innovation. The use of face-to-face interviews as a research tool facilitated obtaining knowledge that is generally not readily accessible.
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Fernando Carvalho de Almeida, Humbert Lesca and Adolpho W.P. Canton
Knowledge about competitive environments is a determinant factor for the success of a firm, as it may allow it to anticipate threats and opportunities in its market. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge about competitive environments is a determinant factor for the success of a firm, as it may allow it to anticipate threats and opportunities in its market. This study aims to explore variables that enable or prevent an employee’s intrinsic motivation to share knowledge. It studies the collection and sharing of information that may be a signal of future competitive moves in competitive intelligence (CI) processes.
Design/methodology/approach
Canonical correlation was used by utilizing survey data from a company. The study was based on the self-determination theory relating intrinsic motivation to behavior.
Findings
The study confirms the importance of different aspects motivating knowledge sharing behavior, such as information system’s support, top management support and information feed-back.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to one company, respecting the limitations of a case study, but external validation was impossible to test. Findings showed a strong correlation of some variables with intrinsic motivation and are coherent with other studies in the knowledge sharing field.
Practical implications
Firms introducing knowledge sharing processes should pay attention to the importance of information system support. The relationship with people involved is also important, as in supporting their collaborations and giving feed-back to contributions. Sustaining intrinsic motivation seems a fundamental aspect to the process’ success.
Originality/value
The study indicates the relation of different variables of motivation with motivation. It explores knowledge sharing in a CI process, an important process in firms nowadays. It shows important aspects that ensure continuity of knowledge sharing as informational feed-back and top management support. Canonical correlation was also used, a technique not frequently explored and useful to study correlation among groups of variables.
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Fariza Rusly, Peter Yih-Tong Sun and James L. Corner
The study aims to assess the influence of change readiness on the knowledge sharing process. This study proposes that readiness for knowledge sharing involves developing holistic…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to assess the influence of change readiness on the knowledge sharing process. This study proposes that readiness for knowledge sharing involves developing holistic understanding of the process through identification of individual and organisational readiness.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a qualitative case study design involving three New Zealand professional service firms (PFSs). Using grounded theory analysis, categories and concepts of change readiness that shape the knowledge sharing process were identified. The linkages among these elements offer an explanation of how readiness for knowledge sharing is formed.
Findings
Findings show that beliefs regarding knowledge sharing and individual expertise determine individual readiness to share knowledge. Readiness for the process is escalated by instilling collective commitment for knowledge sharing. A conducive organisational context, which comprises communication, participation and learning, represents a firm’s capability to implement the knowledge sharing process. Findings also highlight the moderating influences of firm archetype, inter-profession differences and knowledge nature in the interplay between change readiness elements and the knowledge sharing process.
Research limitations/implications
Findings reveal elements that motivate readiness for knowledge sharing from a change perspective. The propositions and theoretical model offered could extend understanding of the phenomena and lead to further studies assessing readiness for other knowledge management processes. The study involves three PFSs; hence, interpretation of the findings is limited within the scope and context of the study.
Practical implications
Findings contribute to the formulation of firms’ knowledge sharing strategies by offering holistic insights into the importance of motivating readiness for knowledge sharing through consideration of multidimensional change readiness: individual and collective beliefs, individuals’ characteristics and organisational context.
Originality/value
It is the first empirical study that seeks to develop theory how change readiness elements influences knowledge sharing in the organisation. To offer more contextualised findings, the study focusses on the phenomena of change readiness and knowledge sharing within the professional service industry.
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Abdulsatar Abduljabbar Sultan, Salsabila Aisyah Alfaiza and Hosam Alden Riyadh
The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of mass collaboration on the knowledge-sharing process in the manufacturing sector of Iraq in the mediation of innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of mass collaboration on the knowledge-sharing process in the manufacturing sector of Iraq in the mediation of innovation capability.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is quantitative in nature in which the data has been gathered from the primary sources of information through a survey questionnaire from 225 respondents. The structural equation structural equation modeling technique has been used to analyze the data along with the path assessment and confirmatory factor analysis confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The results of this study determined that in the context of the interactive system and mutual adjustment, the mediation of innovation capability is partial whereas, in the context of shared understating, the mediation is full. In addition to this, an interactive system and mutual adjustment had a significant effect on the knowledge sharing process, while the shared understanding was determined to have an insignificant effect on the knowledge sharing process.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study are limited to the manufacturing sector of Iraq. In addition to this, the study includes a limited sample size which must be increased by future researchers.
Originality/value
This paper ensures originality in the context of Iraq, as the associations tested in this study have not been tested previously considering Iraq.
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Higher education institutions, particularly in developing countries, are striving for superior innovation performance to cope with the challenges of contemporary educational…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education institutions, particularly in developing countries, are striving for superior innovation performance to cope with the challenges of contemporary educational environment. Drawing on the knowledge management capability model and knowledge-based view of firms, this study aims to determine the impact of knowledge management enablers, namely, top management knowledge value, knowledge-oriented culture and knowledge-based rewards, on innovation speed and quality and assessing the mediating role of knowledge sharing process.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from 234 academics of higher education institutions in Pakistan and analyzed through the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
The results indicate that top management knowledge value and knowledge-based rewards have a positive effect on innovation speed and quality. Although knowledge-oriented culture also contributes to innovation quality, it does not influence the innovation speed. Moreover, the knowledge sharing process mediates the effect of all these knowledge management enablers on innovation speed and quality.
Practical implications
This study underscores the importance of three key knowledge management enablers in higher education institutions. The findings of this study suggest that signaling knowledge value from the top management, fostering knowledge-oriented culture and enacting a knowledge-based reward system are critical in facilitating knowledge sharing process and enhancing innovation speed and quality in higher education institutions.
Originality/value
This is among one of the earlier studies that investigates the influence of top management knowledge value, knowledge-oriented culture and knowledge-based rewards on innovation speed and quality, particularly in higher education institutions, and determines the mediating role of the knowledge sharing process.
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The purpose of this paper is to present and study an analytical model of knowledge management (KM) in which employees’ fit with a firm’s organizational culture improves with their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present and study an analytical model of knowledge management (KM) in which employees’ fit with a firm’s organizational culture improves with their sharing and learning of the firm’s common organizational practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Incentive rewards motivate knowledge workers to share their knowledge and contribute to a firm’s central knowledge base. The authors develop a model in which the firm’s cultural fit changes with the sequence of KM-based business processes including sharing, learning, evaluation, and production, and then analytically investigate the design of knowledge sharing rewards as well as the business process sequence to shape a firm’s organizational cultural fit and maximize its profit.
Findings
The best sequence of KM processes is solved in the following order: (Announcement), (Evaluation), (Sharing), (Learning), and (Production). The sharing reward for knowledge workers is analytically derived accordingly, which increases with the level of KM systems and decreases with the probability of a worker staying in the firm, the probability of a culturally unfit worker being identified by the firm, and the probability of a worker being culturally fit on the labor market. The optimal volume of knowledge base is also investigated with respect to these factors.
Originality/value
Applying a novel analytical approach, the authors model and study KM processes and their relationships with organizational culture and incentives. The research provides valuable insights for managers to implement KM practices.
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