The impact of knowledge management on a firm’s innovation capability in adynamic environment

Abstract

Abstract: How to leverage a firm's innovation capabilities is a strategic problem not only of practical but also of academic concern. Based on the dynamic theory of knowledge creation, a model of relationship between knowledge accumulation and sharing and a firm's innovation capability (IC) has been constructed and tested by using data collected from 257 domestic firms, with the environmental dynamism as a moderator. Findings are as follows: (1) Both knowledge accumulation and knowledge sharing contribute to IC leveraging. While knowledge accumulation devotes to IC with increased marginal contribution, outside knowledge sharing contributes to IC with decreased marginal benefit, showing an invert U-shape relation to capability; (2) Environmental dynamism moderates the relationship between knowledge accumulation and IC negatively. However, with knowledge accumulation increasing, the intensity of moderation decreases. (3) Inside and outside knowledge sharing show the ambidextrous relationship in IC leveraging in a specific environment. Theoretical contribution, managerial implication and limitation are discussed finally in this paper.

Key words: knowledge management, innovation capability (IC), environmental dynamism, knowledge accumulation, knowledge sharing

CLC Number:

C93
F270

Zhang Jun, Xu Qingrui, Zhang Suping. The impact of knowledge management on a firm’s innovation capability in adynamic environment[J]. Science Research Management, 2014, 35(4): 59-67.

References

[1] 刘星, 赵红.外商直接投资对我国自主创新能力影响的实证研究——基于省级单位的面板数据分析[J].管理世界, 2009(6):170-171. [2] 王华, 赖明勇, et al.国际技术转移、异质性与中国企业技术创新研究[J].管理世界, 2010(10):131-142. [3] 陈继勇, 雷欣, et al.知识溢出、自主创新能力与外商直接投资[J].管理世界, 2010(7):30-42. [4] Dierickx I.and K.Cool(1989).Asset stock accumulation and sustainability of competitive advantage[J].Management Science:1504-1511. [5] 陈小洪.中国企业30 年创新:机制、能力和战略[J].管理学报, 2009, 6(11):1421-1429. [6] Nonaka I.(1994).A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation[J].Organization Science 5(1):14-37. [7] 许振亮.50年来国际技术创新研究的可视化计量分析—基于作者共被引分析视角[J].科研管理, 2011, 32(5):17-28. [8] 陈悦, 宋刚, 等.中国创新管理研究的知识结构分析[J].科研管理, 2011, 32(2):10-19. [9] Lane P.J., B.R.Koka, et al.(2006).The reification of absorptive capacity:a critical review and rejuvenation of the construct[J].The Academy of Management Review ARCHIVE 31(4):833-863. [10] Cohen W.M.and D.A.Levinthal(1990).Absorptive capacity:a new perspective on learning and innovation[J].Administrative science quarterly 35(1):128-152. [11] Zahra S.A.and G.George(2002).Absorptive capacity:A review, reconceptualization, and extension[J].The Academy of Management Review 27(2):185-203. [12] Iansiti M.(1995a).Technology Development and Integration:An Empirical Study of the Interaction Between Applied Science and Product Development[J].IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT 12(3):259-269. [13] Gino F., L.Argote, et al.(2010).First, get your feet wet:The effects of learning from direct and indirect experience on team creativity[J].Organizational behavior and human decision processes 111(2):102-115. [14] Smith K.G., C.J.Collins, et al.(2005).Existing knowledge, knowledge creation capability, and the rate of new product introduction in high-technology firms[J].The Academy of Management Journal 48(2):346-357. [15] Zahra S.A.and A.P.Nielsen(2002).Sources of capabilities, integration and technology commercialization[J].Strategic Management Journal 23(5):377-398. [16] Sorensen J.B.and Stuart, T.E.(2000).Aging, obsolescence and organizational innovation[J].Administrative Science Quarterly, 45, 81-113. [17] Argote L.and P.Ingram(2000).Knowledge Transfer:A Basis for Competitive Advantage in Firms[J].Organizational behavior and human decision processes 82(1):150-169. [18] Heimerisks K.H.(2010).Confident or competent? How to avoid superstitious learning in alliance portfolios[J].Long Range Planning 43:57-84. [19] Haas M.R.and M.T.Hansen(2005).When using knowledge can hurt performance:The value of organizational capabilities in a management consulting company[J].Strategic Management Journal 26(1):1-24. [20] Cummings J.N.(2004).Work groups, structural diversity, and knowledge sharing in a global organization[J].Management Science:352-364. [21] Iansiti M.and K.B.Clark(1994).Integration and dynamic capability:evidence from product development in automobiles and mainframe computers[J].Industrial and Corporate Change 3(3):557-605. [22] Hummel M, Van Rossum W., Omta O., et al.(2001).Types and timing of inter—organizational communication in new product development[J].Creativity and Innovation Management 10(4):225-233. [23] Szulanski G.(1996).Exploring internal stickiness:Impediments to the transfer of best practice within the firm[J].Strategic Management Journal 17:27-43. [24] Hong P., W.J.Doll, et al.(2011).Knowledge sharing and strategic fit in integrated product development projects:An empirical study[J].International Journal of Production Economics 132:186-196. [25] Sampson R.C.(2005).Experience effects and collaborative returns in R&D alliances[J].Strategic Management Journal, 26, 1009-31. [26] Levinthal D.A.and J.G.March(1993).The myopia of learning[J].Strategic Management Journal 14(S2):95-112. [27] Jansen J.J.P., F.A.J.Van Den Bosch, et al.(2006).Exploratery Innovation, Exploitative Innovation, and Performance:Effects of Organizational Antecedents and Environmental Moderators[J].Management Science 52(11):1661-1674. [28] Griliches Z.(1990).Patent statistics as economic indicators:a survey[J].Journal of Economic Literature, 28, 1661-1707. [29] Barrales-Molina V., J.Benitez-Amado, et al.(2010).Managerial perceptions of the competitive environment and dynamic capabilities generation[J].Industrial Management & Data Systems 110(9):1355-1384. [30] Sáenz J., N.Aramburu, et al.(2009).Knowledge sharing and innovation performance:A comparison between high-tech and low-tech companies[J].Journal of Intellectual Capital 10(1):22-36. [31] Lee J.N.(2001).The impact of knowledge sharing, organizational capability and partnership quality on IS outsourcing success[J].Information & Management 38(5):323-335. [32] Lin H.F.(2007).Knowledge sharing and firm innovation capability:an empirical study[J].International Journal of Manpower 28(3/4):315-332. [33] Damanpour F.(1992).Organizational size and innovation[J].Organization Studies 13(3):375-402. [34] Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S.G., & Aiken, L.S.Applied multiple regression correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences(Third-ed.)[M].Mahwah, New Jersey:Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.2003. [35] Ambrosini V.and C.Bowman(2009).What are dynamic capabilities and are they a useful construct in strategic management[J].International Journal of Management Reviews 11(1):29-49. [36] Teece D.J., G.Pisano, and A.Shuen.(1997).Dynamic capabilities and strategic management[J].Strategic Management Journal 18(7):537-533. [37] Wijk R.v., J.J.P.Jansen, et al.(2008).Inter-and Intra-Organizational Knowledge Transfer:A Meta-Analytic Review and Assessment of its Antecedents and Consequences[J].Journal of Management Studies 45(4):830-853.