The Role of Existing Knowledge in New Product Innovativeness and Performance

Individual Information Technology (IT) creativity: a conceptual and operational definition

Purpose

An organization’s competitive advantage can be strengthened if they are able to identify highly creative individuals. In fact, organizational success in the 21st century may depend upon a firm’s ability to identify highly creative individuals who are able to develop novel and useful ideas, which are the outcome of creativity. The authors posit that Information Technology (IT) plays a significant role in creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the componential view of creativity, the authors propose the theoretically-derived concept of Individual IT Creativity (IITC). Utilizing a 5-phase methodology, the authors provide a theoretically-derived and rigorously-validated measure of IITC.

Findings

This study demonstrates that IITC is manifested in individuals who (1) possess IT expertise; (2) are motivated by IT tasks and (3) exhibit IT creativity-relevant processes. The authors then develop a scale to measure IITC and examine IITC within a broader nomological network.

Originality/value

This study facilitates the investigation of new streams of research into IITC, including new possible outcomes in addition to IT acceptance.

Domain knowledge and role clarity moderate the relationship between proactive personality and employee radical creativity

This study explored the influence of proactive personality on employee radical creativity along with the role of teams' domain knowledge and employees' role clarity as moderators of this relationship. We distributed a survey to obtain data from 290 supervisor–employee dyads in China, and tested our hypotheses via a conditional process analysis. The results show that the moderating effect of domain knowledge on the positive relationship between proactive personality and employee radical creativity was nonsignificant. However, role clarity had a significant moderating effect on the moderating role of domain knowledge in the relationship between proactive personality and employee radical creativity; that is to say, the relationship between proactive personality and radical creativity was most strongly positive when both teams' domain knowledge and employees' role clarity were at a high level. These findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical significance.

Effects of Psychological Capital and Person-Job Fit on Hospitality Employees' Work-Family Conflict, Family-Work Conflict and Job Performance: The Moderating Role of Marital Status

Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory and congruence theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of psychological capital (PsyCap) and person-job fit (PJ fit) on work-family conflict (WFC), family-work conflict (FWC) and job performance (JP), especially the moderating effect of marital status on hypothesized relationships between two directions of conflicts in the work-family interface and JP. Utilizing a two-stage design, this study surveyed 312 flight attendants employed by two international airline companies in Malaysia and used the structural equation modeling technique to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings showed that PsyCap could significantly alleviate two directions of WFC simultaneously and promote employees' JP. PJ fit was also identified to be an effective mitigator of WFC and FWC; however, a significant association between PJ fit and JP has not been found in this study. The findings further suggested that both WFC and FWC could mediate the association between PsyCap and JP. In addition, the fact that marital status resulted in disparity in the formation of JP was also evidenced. Airline companies should pay more attention to the positive impact of individual psychological determinants, such as PsyCap and PJ fit, which can effectively alleviate various issues in the work-family interface, thereby improving employees' JP.

Entrepreneurial orientation, sustainability practices and performance of small and medium enterprises: evidence from an emerging economy

Purpose

Despite the growing scholarly interest in examining entrepreneurial orientation (EO)-performance link, the results have been inconsistent. However, studies have not explored firm-level and external factors that may serve as mechanisms or boundary conditions to explain this relationship. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to examine how and when EO influences performance by incorporating sustainability practices as a mechanism and competitive intensity as an important contingent factor.

Design/methodology/approach

Using primary data obtained from 323 chief executive officers/entrepreneurs, the authors analyzed the data using structural equation modeling in LISREL and Hayes PROCESS in SPSS.

Findings

The authors found that sustainability practices serve as a mechanism through which EO influences small and medium enterprises' (SMEs) performance. The study further revealed that the relationship between EO and sustainability practices is weakened at high levels of competitive intensity. Still, the relationship between EO and performance through sustainability practices remains strengthened when competitive intensity is present at high levels.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining how SMEs who are less endowed with resources can engage in sustainability practices that can match large firms with stronger EO to achieve increased performance. Additionally, the study contributes to the literature by examining the mediating effect of sustainability practices in the EO-performance relationship. Finally, the study contributes to the body of literature by testing how competitive intensity presents as a boundary condition to leverage the relationship between EO and performance.

Autistic Traits and Empathy for Others' Pain Among the General Population: Test of the Mediating Effects of First-Hand Pain Sensitivity

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by reduced pain empathy-a process that is grounded in first-hand pain perception. Because autistic traits are continuously distributed in the general population, we hypothesized that first-hand pain sensitivity would mediate the link between autistic traits and pain empathy. After controlling for alexithymia, higher autistic traits were associated with lower cognitive and emotional empathy in response to others' pain, as well as lower sensitivity to cold and heat pain (higher cold pain tolerance and lower laser heat pain-intensity ratings). Importantly, pain sensitivity fully mediated the link between autistic traits and pain empathy. These findings highlight the role of atypical first-hand pain sensitivity in the lack of pain empathy observed in people with high autistic traits or ASD.

The antecedents and consequences of organizational learning in the library: A systematic literature review

The aim of this study is to determine the developments and factors that affect organizational learning in libraries. The study uses a systematic literature review method by analysing 20 research articles. The results of the study indicate that there are antecedents and consequences of organizational learning in the library. The research offers a comprehensive framework of the antecedents and consequences of organizational learning in libraries. Library managers can use these results to improve organizational learning in their libraries in accordance with the conditions and environment. The results can also be used as material for consideration in making decisions about the application of organizational learning in the library. There are few systematic literature reviews of organizational learning in libraries; hence, this article can be used as an opening for further discussion.

How to Reduce Employees' Turnover Intention from the Psychological Perspective: A Mediated Moderation Model

Background

The hospitality industry is deemed a great generator of global GDP and employment. However, high rates of voluntary turnover have gradually undermined global service organizations and brought huge losses to them. Nowadays, the hotel sector continues to be plagued by high turnover rates.

Purpose

A research model investigating job attitudes (job satisfaction and organizational commitment) as mediators of the impact of psychological capital (PsyCap) on turnover intention and also examining position as a moderator between job attitudes and turnover intention was proposed and tested.

Methods

This study collected data from 406 employees selected from four-star and five-star hotels in the southwest region of China. Online survey questionnaires and a purposive sampling technique were employed in this study. Structural equation modeling was utilized to evaluate the direct, mediating, and moderating effects.

Results

The results showed that organizational commitment and job satisfaction fully mediated the association between PsyCap and turnover intention. Moreover, position played a moderating role on the effect of the aforementioned two job attitudes on turnover intention.

Conclusion

The findings implied that hoteliers should focus on employees’ PsyCap and job attitudes in order to mitigate serious turnover issues in the hotel sector in China. Besides, the fact that position resulted in disparity impacts in the formation of turnover intention was evidenced.

Wearing failure as a path to innovation

Innovation is a widely acknowledged key component of corporate performance management. However, most of the literature on this topic has tended to focus on determinants of corporate failure, thereby neglecting to look at the role of innovation failure in triggering innovative initiatives. By using a sample of companies covered by 2014 Community Innovation Survey data and applying econometric models, this study sought to analyze the impacts of innovative project failure. The results show that innovation failure is negatively correlated with companies' experience and acquisition of external knowledge. The main findings are consistent with the scarce literature on this research topic, and highlight the positive role that companies' accumulated experience has in their assimilation of knowledge flows.

Technological innovation in libraries

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify technological innovation in libraries and further examine the knowledge source and their effects during the technology life cycle (TLC).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the technological innovation taking place in libraries. Patent citation analysis was used to capture the trend of technological innovation associated with libraries.

Findings

The findings are as follows: (1) library technologies are now in the ascent phase of their life cycles; (2) private companies from the United States, Germany, France, Japan and the United Kingdom are the top-five owners of intellectual property rights associated with library technology and (3) patent data along with knowledge and technology indicators can be interpreted in the light of library development. The knowledge source with the highest degree of scientific and technological orientation was identified as basic material chemistry. The major technological categories that have received the greatest knowledge effect from library-associated technological innovation are chemistry, electrical engineering, instruments, mechanical engineering, with other fields (civil engineering and furniture, games) being subject to less effect.

Research limitations/implications

There are two research limitations in this study. First, the results use single informants, patents retrieved from United States Patent and Trademark Office, as the source of data. Second, this study uses patent citation measures for exploring the knowledge source and effect of technological innovation, these measures are only subjective for those new invention highly based technological advances. This study concludes that technological innovation for libraries will be characterized by an increasing role for science-intensive and interdisciplinary areas. This study also suggests that organizational learning facilitates innovation. Therefore, a library hoping to co-evolve with dynamic environment through technological innovation should improve its organizational learning processes.

Practical implications

Theories of technology-push and demand-pull were examined in relation to technological innovation taking place in libraries. The TLC analysis indicated that library technology is mainly in the ascent stage, suggesting that libraries have not achieved the strongest technological transformation. The findings suggest that the importance of demand-pull and technology-push vary over the TLC of libraries.

Social implications

To survive in a dynamic environment library must be able to cope with increasing complexity and high-speed technological change. It is pivotal to integrate the views of users (as customers), software houses or design companies (as suppliers) as well as other libraries (as communities) into the sustainable development strategy of a library. In these contexts, libraries with the capacity to innovate will be able to respond to new demands faster and to invent and provide new services better than noninnovative libraries.

Originality/value

Analysis based on the technological innovation perspective to identify the future development of libraries is still lacking. This paper seeks to identify the technological innovation employed in libraries to accommodate the 21st century model of information-seeking behavior. This study identifies a variety of factors that have influenced the transformation of library services, and these include technology developments and new demands from library users. To illustrate the driving forces of technology-push in libraries, this paper examines holistic-patented technologies invented for libraries.

Evaluation of Enterprise Production Based on Spherical Cubic Hamacher Aggregation Operators

In the age of the information-based economy and the rapid advancements of data schemes, business management has been faced with extraordinary difficulties and has entered into a reasonable period where the board’s conventional enterprise execution assessment centers around the interests of investors. Speculators accept money-related information as their basis and focus on the investigation of material fascination, and in the event of the off chance that they do not, they cannot confirm the next economy period. In this way, enterprise execution reflects the interests of investors and business strategists for the needs of partners, which is significant for the forthcoming rivalry. Given that, the collection of data is a significant research tool that has lately been considered by researchers for data examination. In this paper, we have established multi-criteria decision-making methods for the assessment of business execution with spherical fuzzy information. We have applied Hamacher aggregation operators such as the spherical cubic fuzzy Hamacher weighted averaging (SCFHWA) operator, the spherical cubic fuzzy Hamacher ordered weighted averaging (SCFHOWA) operator, the spherical cubic fuzzy Hamacher hybrid averaging (SCFHHA) operator, the spherical cubic fuzzy Hamacher weighted geometric (SCFHWG) operator, the spherical cubic fuzzy Hamacher ordered weighted geometric (SCFHOWG) operator, and the spherical cubic fuzzy Hamacher hybrid geometric (SCFHHG) operator for the appraisal of the best choice of enterprise. We ultimately defend the proposed approach with the existing strategies for possibility and adequacy.

The role of supervisor knowledge sharing behavior in stimulating subordinate creativity

Purpose

Knowledge sharing is critical for employee creative performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of supervisor knowledge sharing behavior on subordinate creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data by paper-based surveys at information technology organizations in southern Vietnam (N= 339). The hypotheses were tested by conducting a hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The results showed that supervisor knowledge sharing behavior positively affected subordinates’ creative performance. Further, the positive association between supervisor knowledge sharing behavior and subordinate creativity was reinforced by subordinate absorptive capacity and partially mediated by subordinate task-efficacy and subordinate domain knowledge.

Practical implications

Companies should choose individuals who frequently share their knowledge with others when staffing supervisory positions. Moreover, companies should encourage supervisors as well as give supervisors a substantial amount of time and opportunities to share their knowledge with their subordinates. Further, companies should encourage employees to proactively gain valuable knowledge shared by their supervisors. Finally, companies should provide employees with job training programs as well as encourage them to join these programs to improve their absorptive capacity.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers to investigate whether supervisors can stimulate their subordinate creativity by sharing explicit and tacit knowledge. This study also contributes to the creativity literature by examining the mediating role of subordinate task-efficacy and subordinate domain knowledge and the moderating effect of subordinate absorptive capacity.

Investigating the effects of psychological empowerment and interpersonal conflicts on employees’ knowledge sharing intentions

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different forms of interpersonal conflicts and employees’ psychological empowerment may affect knowledge sharing intentions directly or indirectly via interpersonal trust in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data collected from 249 employees of 37 of the top 500 corporations in the manufacturing industry in Taiwan were used for the data analysis. The research model was analyzed using the component-based structural equation modeling technique, namely, the partial least squares (PLS) approach.

Findings

The results indicate that both relationship and task conflicts have significant indirect effects on employees’ knowledge sharing intentions via psychological empowerment and trust. Additionally, psychological empowerment significantly influences employees’ knowledge sharing intentions both directly and indirectly via trust.

Research limitations/implications

The primary theoretical implication is an advancement in the understanding of the critical antecedents of and their different effects on employees’ knowledge sharing intentions from the perspectives of conflict management and individual psychological empowerment. Future research may concentrate on investigating the bidirectional interactions among trust, relationship conflicts and task conflicts in different knowledge-sharing contexts.

Practical implications

This study provides practical insights into conflict resolution intended to facilitate psychological empowerment and interpersonal trust that encourage knowledge sharing in the workplace.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first knowledge sharing study that empirically examines how task and relationship conflicts affect employees’ knowledge sharing intentions differently via the mediation of their perceived psychological empowerment and interpersonal trust in one another in the workplace.

STRATEGIC ACCORD AND TENSION FOR BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION: EXAMINING DIFFERENT TACIT KNOWLEDGE TYPES AND OPEN ACTION STRATEGIES

Both academics and practitioners are underlining the relevance of business model innovation in unlocking lasting, competitive advantages. To understand how business model innovation is achieved in the team level and which contingency factors drive or inhibit the process, this study scrutinizes the strategic accord and tension of analogous and opposing action strategies, as potential contingency factors controlling and balancing the effects of external and internal tacit knowledge on business model innovation. Using a research sample of 162 team projects, our empirical study supported the research hypotheses regarding how tacit knowledge fuels business model innovation, highlighting differed moderating roles of three open action strategies (team autonomy, team creativity, and team diversity) on the relationship between two transferred knowledge types and business model innovation of technology-intensive companies. This study shed light on how team management strategies, namely manifestations of open action strategies, moderate the effectiveness of tacit knowledge on business model innovation.

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Influencing the Process of Innovation in Green Supply Chain Management: A Multicriteria Model Based on the DEMATEL Method

After performing a systematic review of the literature, it was noticeable that the discussion regarding Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) along with Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) and Innovation is scarce. To address this issue, the objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between GSCM, KTT, and Innovation. To achieve this purpose, we developed a conceptual framework based on the literature review, which raised some hypotheses. In order to verify the hypotheses and validate the framework, we designed a multicriteria model called the KTT-GSCM Multicriteria Model, composed of two stages. The first stage describes factors that are relevant to GSCM, KTT, and Innovation, ascertaining which ones have influence over the others and which ones are influenced by the others, through the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The second stage of the model analyzes the level of each perspective in each company and in the supply chain as a whole, thus verifying the hypotheses. This model was applied in 13 firms of a supply chain that has a rotomolding firm as a focal company. Through the development and application of the model, it was possible to verify the hypotheses raised and conclude that the perspectives of GSCM, KTT, and Innovation are, in fact, influenced by one another and that both Innovation and KTT promote greater development in GSCM.

Assessment of Enterprise Performance Based on Picture Fuzzy Hamacher Aggregation Operators

In the age of the knowledge-based economy and the rapid development of information technology, enterprise management is facing great challenges and has entered an era of prudent management. Traditional enterprise performance evaluation focuses on the interests of shareholders. Investors take financial data as their base and pay attention to the study of material attraction and the results; if they do not, they cannot adjust to a new economy period. Therefore, enterprise performance reflects the interests of shareholders and business strategists for the needs of stakeholders, which is important for the future of lively competition. With that in mind, aggregation of information is an important research tool that has recently drawn the attention of researchers for information analysis. In this paper, we have developed multiple-attribute decision-making methods for enterprise performance evaluation with picture fuzzy information. We have applied Hamacher aggregation operators such as the picture fuzzy Hamacher weighted averaging (PFHWA) operator and picture fuzzy Hamacher weighted geometric (PFHWG) operator in picture fuzzy environment for the assessment of the best enterprise selection. Finally, we justified the proposed approach with the existing methods for feasibility and effectiveness.

What Makes Coopetition Successful? An Inter-Organizational Side Analysis on Coopetition Critical Success Factors in Oil and Gas Distribution Networks

This paper investigates the inter-organizational Critical Success Factors for coopetition in oil and gas distribution networks. Based on an extensive review of literature, 17 Critical Success Factors were identified and analyzed in the context of oil and gas distribution industry. We concluded that Trust, Outcomes, Outcomes distribution and Tension have the greatest impact on coopetition success within business networks, while Congruence, Governance, Inter-dependence and Equity, even though significant, have the lowest impact. The study contributes to the development of literature concerning Critical Success Factors in business networks by presenting an inter-organizational perspective, by providing a ranking of them, and by discussing the implications for oil and gas distribution companies.

Transforming collective knowledge into team intelligence: the role of collective teaching

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the pivotal role that collective teaching plays in knowledge transfer between new product development teams. This study develops a theoretical model of collective teaching, where team intelligence is its consequence and learning orientation cognitive skills are moderators.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a questionnaire survey of 156 pairs of new product development project teams of information technology firms, the authors used partial least squares to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that the use of collective teaching is positively related to team intelligence of recipient teams. In addition, T-shaped skills of source teams exert positive moderating influence on this relationship and so does a learning orientation of recipient teams.

Research limitations/implications

First, the sample firms used in the study are from the IT industry, which is characterized by extremely short product life cycles, thereby limiting the generalizability of the study’s findings. Second, the authors did not examine whether the effect of T-shaped skills is different at various NPD stages; the contributions of each functional expertise may vary depending on the NPD stage (e.g. the idea generation or pre-launch stage). Third, the use of cross-sectional design precludes a causal inference. The role of focal constructs and moderators and their consequent effects would benefit from more stringent, longitudinal research. Finally, the authors controlled for only a limited set of factors of team intelligence because other potential antecedents of this variable still await identification by future studies.

Practical implications

This study suggests that the implementation of collective teaching can enhance the capacity of a project team as a whole to manage and innovate information, namely, team intelligence. The study’s findings also suggest that the management must recognize the significance of teams’ learning orientation and thereby proactively develop teams’ learning culture by redesigning work, reward systems or performance evaluation to promote learning. Additionally, it is prudent for managers to reconsider their recruitment criteria to incorporate T-shaped skills.

Originality/value

This study represents the first step in developing an empirically grounded framework linking collective teaching with team intelligence. Additionally, the authors confirm that team intelligence is a four-dimensional construct.

Does product design matter? Exploring its influences in consumers’ psychological responses and brand loyalty

Purpose

Unique product design is a highlight of sustainable branding. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether product design affects customers’ psychological responses (i.e. cognitive and affective responses) to smartphones, and, in turn, affects their brand loyalty (i.e. attitudinal and behavioral brand loyalty), further advancing the knowledge of product design and brand management.

Design/methodology/approach

This work used survey data from 456 Taiwanese with experience using smartphone. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed model and hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that the product design significantly affects both cognitive response and affective response, which, in turn, significantly affect both attitudinal brand loyalty and behavioral brand loyalty. The findings also suggest that the moderating effect of product involvement on the relationship between product design and affective response is statistically significant, although it does not positively and significantly moderate the link between product design and cognitive response.

Research limitations/implications

This study has two main limitations. First, this study was conducted in the context of smartphones, thus potentially constraining the generalization of the results to other industries. Second, the data in this study were obtained from a cross-sectional design.

Practical implications

These findings can permit companies to generate more brand loyalty in their customers and guide their management of assets and marketing activities.

Originality/value

This paper presents new insights into the nature and importance of product design in brand value.

The effects of innovation speed and quality on differentiation and low-cost competitive advantage

Purpose

This paper aims to verify the effect of organizational learning (OL) and two specific aspects of innovation, innovation speed and innovation quality, on competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling has been applied to test the degree of influence of OL and innovation on two types of competitive advantage (differentiation and low-cost advantage) using data collected from 279 Chinese firms.

Findings

The findings show that innovation speed and quality play mediating roles in the relationship between OL and competitive advantage. In general, while innovation speed has greater effects on low-cost competitive advantage, OL and innovation quality have greater effects on differentiation competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

This paper offers directors/managers a deeper understanding of the factors necessary to promote competitive advantage in their firms.

Practical implications

This paper offers CEOs/managers a deeper understanding of the necessary factors needed to promote competitive advantage in their firms.

Originality/value

This paper provides practical and theoretical initiatives on innovation and competitive advantage that can be used to promote specific aspects of innovation and build up competitive advantage for relevant organizations.

Getting the most out of knowledge and innovation transfer agents in health care: a qualitative study

Background

Knowledge and innovation transfer (KIT) is recognised internationally as a complex, dynamic process that is difficult to embed in organisations. There is growing use of health service–academic–industry collaborations in the UK, with knowledge brokers linking producers with the users of knowledge and innovation.

Aim

Focusing on KIT ‘agent’ roles within Academic Health Science Networks in England and Partnerships in Wales, we show how individual dispositions, processes and content contribute to desired outcomes.

Methods

We studied the KIT intentions of all Academic Health Science Networks in England, and the South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership. Using a qualitative case study design, we studied the work of 13 KIT agents purposively sampled from five networks, by collecting data from observation of meetings, documentation, KIT agent audio-diaries, and semistructured interviews with KIT agents, their line managers and those they supported (‘Links’). We also used a consensus method in a meeting of experts (nominal group technique) to discuss the measurement of outcomes of KIT agent activity.

Findings

The case study KIT agents were predominantly from a clinical background with differing levels of experience and expertise, with the shared aim of improving services and patient care. Although outside of recognised career structures, the flexibility afforded to KIT agents to define their role was an enabler of success. Other helpful factors included (1) time and resources to devote to KIT activity; (2) line manager support and a team to assist in the work; and (3) access and the means to use data for improvement projects. The organisational and political context could be challenging. KIT agents not only tackled local barriers such as siloed working, but also navigated shifting regional and national policies. Board-level support for knowledge mobilisation together with a culture of reflection (listening to front-line staff), openness to challenges and receptivity to research all enabled KIT agents to achieve desired outcomes. Nominal group findings underscored the importance of relating measures to specific intended outcomes. However, the case studies highlighted that few measures were employed by KIT agents and their managers. Using social marketing theory helped to show linkages between processes, outcomes and impact, and drew attention to how KIT agents developed insight into their clients’ needs and tailored work accordingly.

Limitations

Level of KIT agent participation varied; line managers and Links were interviewed only once; and outcomes were self-reported.

Conclusions

Social marketing theory provided a framework for analysing KIT agent activity. The preparatory work KIT agents do in listening, understanding local context and building relationships enabled them to develop ‘insight’ and adapt their ‘offer’ to clients to achieve desired outcomes.

Future work

The complexity of the role and the environment in which it is played out justifies more research on KIT agents. Suggestions include (1) longitudinal study of career pathways; (2) how roles are negotiated within teams and how competing priorities are managed; (3) how success is measured; (4) the place of improvement methodologies within KIT work; (5) the application of social marketing theory to comparative study of similar roles; and (6) patients as KIT agents.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Assessing the Impact of Learning Capability on Business Performance: Empirical Evidence from Spain

It is widely recognized that the development of learning capability is key to achieve a durable competitive advantage. However, the analysis of the relevance of learning capability to improve business performance and, thus, the organizational competence has been insufficiently developed in literature. Based on data from 111 Spanish companies, this article explores the link between learning capability and the improvement of business performance by comparing how the main dimensions of learning capability—stocks of knowledge and flows of learning—impact on performance, in terms of both non-financial and financial performance. The results show that those organizations with the highest levels in their knowledge stocks and learning flows obtain a superior performance.

EFFECT OF ORGANISATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON INNOVATIVENESS AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP

We have investigated the role played by organisational and environmental factors in innovativeness and business performance relationship. The study is based on a purposive sample of 168 key informants (senior level managers in decision-making roles) from Indian firms. For data collection, we developed scales to measure innovativeness and business performance. The results show that innovativeness is a significant determinant of business performance. We also find that influence of innovativeness on external business performance is moderated by organisational and environmental variables. The organisational decision makers in India can draw insights from these results and better decide their strategic postures for designing organisational structure (OS) and for coping better with the external business environment. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence in support of organic structure and innovativeness for Indian firms to achieve superior business performance in the face of turbulent external business environment.

ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING, NON-TECHNICAL INNOVATION AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION OF SMEs

The purpose of the present study is to analyse the role of organisational learning as an antecedent to non-technical innovation comprising organisational and marketing innovation. Examining the effect of these dimensions of non-technical innovation on customer satisfaction is also an aim of the present study. The paper formulates research hypotheses based on a comprehensive literature review. These hypotheses are tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) based on data collected from 226 Greek small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The formulated conceptual model is strongly supported based on empirical evidence. The results confirm that organisational learning capability favours the development of organisational innovation and marketing innovation. Furthermore, the study shows that both dimensions of non-technical innovation promote the achievement of customer satisfaction.

The role of organizational culture in the knowledge management process

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to focus on the enhancement of knowledge management (KM) performance and the relationship between organizational culture and KM process intention of individuals because of the diversity of organizational cultures (which include results-oriented, tightly controlled, job-oriented, closed system and professional-oriented cultures). Knowledge is a primary resource in organizations. If firms are able to effectively manage their knowledge resources, then a wide range of benefits can be reaped such as improved corporate efficiency, effectiveness, innovation and customer service.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey methodology, which has the ability to enhance generalization of results (Dooley, 2001), was used to collect the data utilized in the testing of the research hypotheses.

Findings

– Results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects on employee intention in the KM process (creation, storage, transfer and application), whereas a tightly controlled culture has negative effects.

Research limitations/implications

– However, it would have been better to use a longitudinal study to collect useful long-term data to understand how the KM process would be influenced when organizational culture dimensions are changed through/by management. This is the first limitation of this study. According to Mason and Pauleen (2003), KM culture is a powerful predictor of individual knowledge-sharing behavior, which is not included in this study. Thus, this is the second limitation of this paper. Moreover, national culture could be an important issue in the KM process (Jacks et al., 2012), which is the third limitation of this paper for not comprising it.

Practical implications

– In researchers’ point of view, results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects, whereas a tightly controlled culture has a negative effect on the KM process intention of the individual. These findings provide evidences that challenge the perspective of Kayworth and Leidner (2003) on this issue. As for practitioners, management has a direction to modify their organizational culture to improve the performance of KM process.

Social implications

– Both behavioral and value perspectives of the organizational cultural dimensions (results-oriented, tightly control, job-oriented, sociability, solidarity, need for achievement and democracy) should be examined to ascertain their effects firstly on KM culture and then on the KM process intention of the individual. It is hoped that the current study will spawn future investigations that lead to the development of an integrated model which includes organizational culture, KM culture and the KM process intention of the individual.

Originality/value

– The results-oriented, loosely controlled and job-oriented cultures will improve the effectiveness of the KM process and will also increase employees’ satisfaction and willingness to stay with the organization.