IT valuation in turbulent times

Exploring the role of knowledge management in contexts of crisis: a synthesis and way forward

Purpose

Based on the scarcity and the fragmented nature of the literature in the field of knowledge management (KM) and crisis, this paper aims to present a systematic literature review of these two constructs, interlinking the literature in KM to the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR) phases framework. The output is a critical discussion on the state of the literature in the field, and an overview of avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted in this paper is that of a systematic literature review. Using the Scopus database, this study presents the findings that emerged from 59 publications in the field of KM and crisis.

Findings

Through the application of a systematic literature review, this paper categorizes 59 publications on KM according to the different stages comprising a crisis. The implications of each paper are discussed and critically analyzed, acting as the basis of areas for future research.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to offer a systematic review of the literature on KM in contexts of crisis by integrating the literature into a well-defined PPRR framework. Furthermore, the discussions presented in this review may be used by practitioners as a basis/starting point to identify relevant literature on different phases of crisis, while scholars may use this paper to further develop studies in KM and crisis management.

IT-Based Knowledge Capability and Commercialization of Innovations

The author provides a framework comprising of propositions for further research explicating the relations between IT-based knowledge capabilities (IT-KC) and Commercialization of Innovations (CI). They posit that a firm’s absorptive capacity and ambidexterity (ability to explore and exploit) affect CI. Further, absorptive capacity too can be an antecedent to ambidexterity. IT based knowledge capability (which is an instantiation of IT capability) is found to positively moderate the relationship between ambidexterity and commercialization of innovations, and also is an antecedent to potential and realized absorptive capacity. The author ties the seemingly isolated bits of literature together into an integrative theoretical model for testing.