The impact of knowledge conversion processes on implementing a learning organization strategy

Prism of Employee Performance Through the Means of Internal Support: A Study of Perceived Organizational Support

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework for testing the perceived organizational support (POS)-employee performance relationship with a mediating effect of intrinsic motivation. To combine the concepts from perceived organizational support (POS) and employee performance, secondary data have been collected from different research papers to provide a literature-based analysis. The present study found positive relationships between POS, intrinsic motivation, and employees’ performance. The study further realized the intrinsic motivation as a potential mediator between POS and performance relationship. From this framework, numerous areas of research can be pursued to be used to research and practice human resource management. The theoretical framework which is developed in this paper is based upon literature that can be proved empirically. To improve theory, research, and practice in the field of human resource management, this paper conceptualizes the concept of POS through the means of internal support.

SECI driven creativity: the role of team trust and intrinsic motivation

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine employees’ knowledge creation processes by leveraging a conceptual framework based on the socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation (SECI) model introduced by Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995). Given that many employees work within teams, in the current study, the authors examine the impact that team-level trust and intrinsic motivation have on an employee’s SECI model and, in turn, the relationship between SECI model and individual creativity. As such, this work represents one of the first works to examine team-level factors that shape individual knowledge creation and creativity. Additionally, building on and extending previous SECI research, the authors develop a scale to measure SECI models that uses peer-rated assessments.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 431 employees who worked in 59 teams drawn from 51 companies in a variety of industry sectors, both SME’s and corporate. To minimise common method bias, the SECI model questionnaire was adapted to the individual level through peer ratings instead of self-ratings (each employee rated three peers). To assess the hypotheses, hierarchical linear models using IBM SPSS were applied. The questionnaires were completed using both paper and online versions.

Findings

Results showed that SECI mediates the relationships between individual-level creativity and both team-level intrinsic motivation and trust. Furthermore, findings suggest that the scale developed is a reliable measure of SECI.

Practical implications

Knowledge creation and sharing practices should take into account both, a team’s trust and its intrinsic motivation, which would result in creativity.

Originality/value

This paper examines the impact that team-level factors (i.e. team trust and team intrinsic motivation) have on individual SECI and creativity across a variety of industries. As such, this work is one of the first to examine the impact of team-level factors in shaping individual knowledge creation and creativity. Given the support that the study found for this hypothesis, this work demonstrates that team trust and intrinsic motivation are salient factors in shaping individual employee knowledge creation and creativity. Given the novelty of this work, the authors hope is that this study will be the foundation upon future cross-level studies of individual-level SECI and individual creativity can be built so as to improve SECI models.

The influence of perceived organizational support on dimensions of learning organization

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of perceived organizational support on dimensions of a learning organization among employees of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Nowshahr in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used an empirical research design by the questionnaire survey method to test the research hypotheses. Statistical population of this research included employees of SMEs of Nowshahr in Iran. A random sample of 950 employees was asked to respond to questionnaires from which 336 were valid. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the influence of perceived organizational support on dimensions of a learning organization.

Findings

– The findings showed that perceived organizational support had a strong effect on the learning organization. In addition, perceived organizational support had effect on continuous learning, dialogue and inquiry, team learning, embedded system, empowerment, system connection and strategic leadership. In general, all hypotheses are statistically supported.

Originality/value

– This research may be one of the first papers exploring the influence of perceived organizational support on dimensions of the learning organization and offers a foundation for future organizational research.