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Article
Publication date: 31 March 2020

Min Guo, Naiding Yang and Yanlu Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to explore that relational capability plays a mediator role in the relationship between focal enterprises' control on knowledge transfer risks in R&D…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore that relational capability plays a mediator role in the relationship between focal enterprises' control on knowledge transfer risks in R&D network.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the related literature from which it proposes a theoretical hypothesis and conceptual framework which is tested empirically adopting regression methodology by mathematical statistics software.

Findings

The results reveal that focal enterprises' control (core technological capability and network position) have a positive effect on knowledge transfer risks without the mediation of relational capability. Moreover, relational capability mediates the positive relationship between core technological capability and knowledge transfer risks.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional data of this research has difficult in testing causality between the variables, and future research should take account of the potential factors that can impact on knowledge transfer risks.

Practical implications

The results provide more valuable information to managers in alleviating knowledge transfer risks in R&D networks. For one thing, the study indicates how focal firms' control (core technological capability and network position) can be taken advantage of improving R&D efficiency and reducing the knowledge transfer risks. For another, the results emphasize that relational capability plays an important role in interacting with cooperative enterprises in the process of R&D activities.

Originality/value

Few studies present a theoretical discussion on focal firms control as the important determinants of knowledge transfer risks especially in the R&D network. Moreover it expands the related risk management theory by relational capability that mediates the relationship between focal firms control and knowledge transfer risks.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2013

Svein S. Andersen and Dag Vidar Hanstad

In elite sport competitions there are small margins, and small advantages may be the key to big success. Details that in many other setting would be considered insignificant can…

1525

Abstract

Purpose

In elite sport competitions there are small margins, and small advantages may be the key to big success. Details that in many other setting would be considered insignificant can have a major impact on results. Awareness about risks therefore becomes a key concern in such projects, and this is often viewed as the essence of project management. Compensations for negative outcomes do not make sense. Delays, cost‐overruns or compensations are not viable options. In such situations, success depends on the ability to manage risks with a high degree of reliability, reflects the ability to mobilize, use and develop new knowledge. This paper aims to offer an opportunity to investigate mechanisms for knowledge development and transfer in relation to risk management in a mindful organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The starting point was formal documents and plans, but the main data source is semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with all major actors involved. The data are representative in the sense that they provide a comprehensive mapping of critical elements in Olympic projects, strategies for dealing with them and how knowledge from earlier projects were exploited. As data were collected they were systematized through open coding, identifying recurrent themes relating to major concerns, influence of earlier experience, knowledge sharing, relationships between experiences and new project team members, etc. The next step was to recode descriptive categories in ways that captured underlying analytical or theoretical dimensions relating to different types of risk, knowledge and knowledge carriers.

Findings

The article links risk management to knowledge development and transfer in a mindful organization. Three mechanisms are crucial for successful project‐based learning: relating different competences; reflecting on experiences; and routinizing lessons learned. Such processes are at the core of a mindful organization. Knowledge transfer and risk management are an integrated part of best practice. In Olympiatoppen there is little codification of knowledge in formal systems and detailed operating procedures. Knowledge is mainly carried by individuals – and activated, evaluated and used in a setting where relationships play a key role. The ability to exploit such mechanisms for knowledge transfer is generally attracting attention as an essential success factor in project‐based learning.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on knowledge development in projects in the following ways: first, knowledge development and transfer is linked to risk management and the concept of mindful organization. In a mindful organization knowledge transfer and risk management are an integrated part of best practice. Second, it pays special attention to the social aspects of knowledge transfer; particularly the role of personal knowledge and problem solving capacities and the importance of social relationships.

Details

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8378

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Yong Long, Peng Li and Bo You

The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between knowledge transfer characteristics in alliance and alliance governance mechanisms, the influence of alliance…

1171

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between knowledge transfer characteristics in alliance and alliance governance mechanisms, the influence of alliance governance mechanisms on knowledge transfer consequences and investigate the role of environmental uncertainty in knowledge transfer of alliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected mainly in high-tech industries of China, the firms in which often establish alliance for the purpose of learning and knowledge transfer often takes place in that alliance. Finally, 293 usable samples were included in subsequent analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The extent of relational (/formal) governance mechanism used in alliance has a stronger positive relationship with the extent of tacit (/explicit) knowledge transfer in alliance than with the extent of explicit (/tacit) knowledge transfer in alliance between them; environmental uncertainty impairs relational governance mechanisms and enhances formal governance mechanisms used in alliance; both relational and formal governance mechanisms could facilitate knowledge transfer in alliance; environmental uncertainty hinders knowledge transfer and negatively moderates the relationship between alliance governance mechanisms and knowledge transfer.

Originality/value

This paper finds the relationship between knowledge transfer in alliance and alliance governance mechanisms, and the role of environmental uncertainty, providing managers with direct implications about how to manage alliance with different knowledge transfer characteristics for the purpose of facilitating knowledge transfer in alliance; provides managers more details about the dark side of the environmental uncertainty in knowledge transfer, also reminds public policy-makers paying enough attention for the improvement of institutional environment to deal with uncertainty.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2021

Fábio Lotti Oliva, Andrei Carlos Torresani Paza, Jefferson Luiz Bution, Masaaki Kotabe, Peter Kelle, Eduardo Pinheiro Gondim de Vasconcellos, Celso Claudio de Hildebrand e Grisi, Martinho Isnard Ribeiro de Almeida and Adalberto Americo Fischmann

This study aims to investigate the risks associated with managing the dispersed knowledge in inter-organizational arrangements for innovation. Specifically, it proposes a model to…

1297

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the risks associated with managing the dispersed knowledge in inter-organizational arrangements for innovation. Specifically, it proposes a model to analyze the knowledge management risks in open innovation, applied in four steps.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the authors carried out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the concepts that connect knowledge management, inter-organizational arrangements for innovation and risks. The SLR results led to a complementary theoretical review on the conceptual elements in question. Based on the findings, the authors have developed a model to analyze the knowledge management risks in open innovation, which was validated by experts. It was then studied the case of GOL Airlines, a company that uses innovation to overcome the paradox between low-cost and full service in the commercial air transportation industry, considering the application and adjustment of the proposed model.

Findings

Open innovation is one of the inter-organizational arrangement types most applied in the context of innovation. Relations between agents are the primary sources of risks when managing the dispersed knowledge in these arrangements. The authors have found five main risks associated, namely, risk of the innovative effort does not reach the expected objective, risk of knowledge transfer being ineffective, risk of misappropriation of value, risk of dependency (lock-in) and risk of relations.

Practical implications

The practical implication is the proposition of a procedure for applying the model to analyze the knowledge management risks in open innovation, which makes it a prescriptive model for identifying risks. The proposed model is described in four steps, namely, to identify the agents in the environment of the value of open innovation; to identify the types of relations of each agent; to consider the barriers to knowledge management in innovation; and to assess the risks considering the possibilities derived from the agents, their relationships and the barriers. The model is applied in the GOL case and the results are presented.

Originality/value

First, it uses a novel approach to investigate open innovation while studying its risks. This approach considers the knowledge is dispersed and flows from one organization to another through a combination of relations inside the environment of value where the open innovation materializes. Second, it contributes to theory development by opening a research front that fuses four areas: risk management, knowledge management, innovation and inter-organizational arrangements. Third, this paper proposes a theoretical model and presents its operationalization. The study aims to make an impact beyond academia and uses a case study to illustrate the model application in a real and interesting open innovation project to support the business model at GOL Airlines.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 February 2021

Naiding Yang, Min Guo, Jingbei Wang and Yanlu Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two dimensions of relational risks, namely, opportunism behavior and interest conflict, on knowledge flow and to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two dimensions of relational risks, namely, opportunism behavior and interest conflict, on knowledge flow and to explore the moderating effect of network power among these untested relationships and to examine the positive effect of opportunism behavior and interest conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts survey data collected from 180 enterprises in China's high-technology industry and examines the relationship between relational risks, network power and knowledge flow.

Findings

This research empirically shows that opportunism behavior and interest conflict significantly and negatively impact on knowledge flow. Those relationships are positively moderated by network power.

Research limitations/implications

To be more generalized to the high-technology industry, future research should adopt the quantitative research, which can obtain more comprehensive information to explore the nature of phenomenon. The future research can also combine with other variables. In addition, this research extends the current literature by investigating the relationship of so far understudied theorized antecedents.

Originality/value

This research enriches the related network perspective literature by providing new insight combining relational risks and knowledge flow. Especially, the moderating effect of network power is empirically examined.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 59 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2011

Aida Idris and Lian Seng Tey

The existing literature indicates that in developing countries, much remains to be done in terms of improving understanding of international joint venture (IJV) issues such as the…

2179

Abstract

Purpose

The existing literature indicates that in developing countries, much remains to be done in terms of improving understanding of international joint venture (IJV) issues such as the motives for firms to pursue IJVs and the factors which affect their performance. In view of this, the present paper seeks to identify the motives of Malaysian firms for engaging in offshore IJVs, and analyze the interplay among four key variables – motive, strategic fit, knowledge transfer and innovation performance – from the perspective of Malaysian IJVs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, theoretical linkages among the variables and relevant hypotheses were developed; then subsequently tested using bootstrap analysis. A total of 234 questionnaires were sent to managers of Malaysian IJVs abroad and 74 usable responses were returned, yielding a response rate of 31.62 percent.

Findings

The results suggest that Malaysian firms pursue IJVs abroad mainly to expedite profit generation and market penetration, while acquiring knowledge is considered only as a secondary motive. At the same time the results affirm that knowledge transfer mediates the effect of strategic fit on the innovative capacity of the IJVs. This implies that although knowledge transfer is very important to IJV innovation performance, that importance is seriously underestimated by Malaysian businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights the need to incorporate moderating factors in the future when examining the effect of motive and strategic fit on innovation. Results of the reliability tests also question the generalizability of existing strategic fit and knowledge transfer scales in a Malaysian setting.

Practical implications

The findings provide lessons for foreign businesses by improving understanding of what Malaysian businesses seek most in an IJV, which in turn will help foster better strategic fit between partners. For Malaysian firms and policy makers, the study should serve as a reminder that knowledge transfer is very important in improving innovativeness and deserves greater attention and commitment.

Originality/value

Research on IJV suggests interesting differences between firms from developed and developing nations. The current paper helps to enrich the literature on IJVs, particularly from the perspective of knowledge and learning orientation in developing nations.

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2011

Ieva Martinkenaite

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of the current body of research on inter‐organizational knowledge transfer, indicating some of its limitations and…

4868

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of the current body of research on inter‐organizational knowledge transfer, indicating some of its limitations and openings for future studies. It maps research in an integrative framework of knowledge‐specific, organizational and network‐level antecedents and performance outcomes of transfer. When assuming that transfer of knowledge does not by itself influence organizational performance, this study gives special attention to a mediating role of knowledge acquisition in relationship between antecedents and performance outcomes of transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual paper the author consolidates, annotates and critiques existing research on antecedents and consequences of inter‐firm knowledge transfer. The author reveals limitations of the current body of literature and provides directions for future research.

Findings

This paper points to the underestimated role of knowledge acquisition in conceptual models of inter‐firm knowledge transfer. The author suggests that the extent, type and nature of “new knowledge learned” mediate the relationship between various antecedents of transfer and financial, product/market and strategic performance of firms. Related to this, the study calls future research to analyze knowledge transfer as a two‐stage process that involves acquisition of knowledge and its exploitation.

Originality/value

Although research on inter‐organizational knowledge transfer is burgeoning, yet our understanding of its antecedents and consequences remains unclear. As a first step to filling this gap, this study provides a comprehensive literature review, reveals its limitations and suggests meaningful directions for further research. It points to high explanatory value of theoretical frameworks that examine linkages between antecedents of transfer, learning outcomes and firm performance results.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 April 2009

Kerstin Eriksson

The purpose of this paper is to study the transfer of knowledge between preparedness activities and emergency response at the municipal level to improve emergency response.

2784

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the transfer of knowledge between preparedness activities and emergency response at the municipal level to improve emergency response.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was carried out in the municipality of Ljungby using prewritten questions to analyse the collected empirical material. This material consisted of both municipality documents and interviews. The investigation involved municipal units that participate in emergency preparedness activities and those involved in the emergency response to a violent storm Gudrun that took place in 2005.

Findings

The findings show that the people in charge of the immediate response to the storm did not effectively use the analytic preparations created by those responsible for planning and preparations. Indeed to a great extent they used general response patterns and functions discovered from their own earlier experiences. These findings led to the development of a preliminary draft of requirements for a well‐functioning knowledge transfer from emergency preparedness work to response.

Research limitations/implications

The paper demonstrates a need for municipalities to develop methods to increase transfer of knowledge of preparedness plans and analyses to improve response.

Originality/value

The paper shows that there is a potential to improve the preparedness process to reduce the gap between preparedness planning and its use in emergency response. The paper suggests a preliminary proposal for developing preparedness activities (in particular risk and vulnerability analyses) more suitable for emergency response.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2013

Xiaoguang Wang

This paper aims to analyze the exchange and reciprocal mechanism behind individual knowledge transfer activities as well as their impact on the individual knowledge transfer

1923

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the exchange and reciprocal mechanism behind individual knowledge transfer activities as well as their impact on the individual knowledge transfer networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted theoretical and simulation research. Agent‐based technology is employed to construct an agent dynamics agent‐based model that simulates and explains how an individual initiates the evolution of a knowledge network through knowledge transfer activities.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the two mechanisms can improve the knowledge levels of the network members; the exchange mechanism is more efficient as it can improve the values of both sides. Individual knowledge transfer networks evolve from random networks to small‐world networks.

Research limitations/implications

The research model must include more variables. Computer simulation research will be cross‐confirmed by other research methods in future studies.

Practical implications

Individual knowledge transfer networks form and subsequently evolve as a result of social interaction. The research findings will contribute to the policy making for knowledge management in organizations.

Originality/value

Little has been published about the dynamics of individual knowledge transfer networks. The author believes that the paper is the first to analyze the internal mechanisms behind individual knowledge transfer activities and test them with agent‐based technologies.

Article
Publication date: 28 December 2023

Mohammah Hossein Khasmafkan-Nezam

This study aims to explore how an organization’s ethical climate determines the type and effectiveness of entrepreneurial marketing activities. Also, this study seeks to identify…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore how an organization’s ethical climate determines the type and effectiveness of entrepreneurial marketing activities. Also, this study seeks to identify the most critical intra-organizational capabilities related to entrepreneurial marketing components and explain their role in the path of ethical climate to entrepreneurial marketing, which means moving from the intra- to the extra-organizational environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from managers working in 100 scientific and research companies in Iran through survey questionnaires. Latent variable structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The findings reveal that the linkage between the ethical climate of the organization and entrepreneurial marketing is partially mediated by work engagement. In addition, the mediating role of knowledge transfer was not confirmed. These results imply that the ethical climate of the organization fosters entrepreneurial marketing by enabling employees with absorption, vigor and dedication.

Research limitations/implications

Scientific and research companies in this research are different in size, resources, knowledge management system, organizational structure and products offered to the market; they have different emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship as well. This issue increases the variety of data and the ability to generalize the results. Still, on the other hand, it reduces the ability to categorize data and increases the amount of outlier data. Future research in a comparative manner between different industries is needed.

Practical implications

This study indicates that an organization’s ethical climate can be a critical predictor of its entrepreneurial marketing as well as effective knowledge transfer and work engagement. In this regard, organizations should pay attention to employee’s perception of the organization’s ethical climate and create an environment that supports productive behaviors, commitment, trust, communication, work dedication, etc., to facilitate knowledge transfer effectively so that the organization can identify market opportunities and turn it into customer-oriented innovation, cocreate value for their customers and increase market share.

Originality/value

In turbulent markets, companies need to introduce quality and reliable products. Still, because the life cycle of products has shortened and the speed of introducing new products has increased, the supply of products will fail if companies are not equipped with new marketing methods. In this regard, the current research will seek to provide a mechanism for organizational capabilities on the road to entrepreneurial marketing by expressing entrepreneurial marketing as an innovative approach and trying to identify factors affecting it.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

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