Knowledge sharing and innovation performance. A comparison between high‐tech and low‐tech companies
| Published date | 16 January 2009 |
| Pages | 22-36 |
| Date | 16 January 2009 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14691930910922879 |
| Author | Josune Sáenz,Nekane Aramburu,Olga Rivera |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance,HR & organizational behaviour,Information & knowledge management |
Knowledge sharing and
innovation performance
A comparison between high-tech and low-tech
companies
Josune Sa
´enz
ESTE School of Management & Orkestra – The Institute of Kompetitiveness
and Development (IK þD), University of Deusto, San Sebastia
´n, Spain
Nekane Aramburu
ESTE School of Management, University of Deusto, San Sebastia
´n, Spain, and
Olga Rivera
ESTE School of Management & Orkestra – The Institute of Kompetitiveness
and Development (IK þD), University of Deusto, San Sebastia
´n, Spain
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to test empirically the degree of influence of different
knowledge-sharing mechanisms on the innovation capability of firms, as well as to analyse the degree
of relevance of each innovation capability dimension to value creation. Additionally, the role of
technology intensity as a moderator variable of the aforementioned relationships is examined.
Design/methodology/approach –Anad hoc questionnaire was designed and addressed to the
CEOs of the companies making up the target population of the research (Spanish manufacturing firms
with more than 50 employees and R&D activities). Structural equation modeling (SEM) based on
partial least squares (PLS) was then applied in order to test the main hypotheses of the research.
Findings – The results obtained show that knowledge sharing is a key issue in order to enhance the
innovation capability of firms. Nevertheless, depending on the innovation capability dimension being
considered and on the technology intensity of the firm, the type of knowledge sharing which appears
to be more fruitful varies. On the other hand, technology intensity also moderates the degree of
relevance of each innovation capability in value creation.
Originality/value – The main contribution of the paper is to provide empirical evidence about the
impact of knowledge sharing on innovation. Moreover, it reveals what the most effective
knowledge-sharing mechanisms are for this purpose, and provides companies with a basic framework
in order to shape their knowledge management strategies.
Keywords Knowledge management, Knowledge sharing,Manufacturing industries,Spain
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
In today’s competitive landscape, innovation is a must. Superior innovation provides
companies with opportunities to grow faster, better, and smarter than their
competitors – and ultimately, to influence the direction of their industry (Davila et al.,
2006).
Since the seminal works by Nonaka (1991) and Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995), the
concept of innovation has been closely related to that of “knowledge creation”. Along
these lines, it is generally assumed that the process of innovation consists of an
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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JIC
10,1
22
Journal of Intellectual Capital
Vol. 10 No. 1, 2009
pp. 22-36
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1469-1930
DOI 10.1108/14691930910922879
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