Task-technology fit in knowledge creation: the moderating role of cognitive style
| Pages | 83-102 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-01-2017-0005 |
| Date | 12 February 2018 |
| Published date | 12 February 2018 |
| Author | ChienHsing Wu,Shu-Chen Kao,Chia-Hung Shih |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Knowledge management,Knowledge management systems |
Task-technology fit in knowledge
creation: the moderating role of
cognitive style
ChienHsing Wu
Department of Information Management, National University of Kaohsiung,
Nanzih District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Shu-Chen Kao
Department of Information Management, Kun Shan University, Yongkang,
Tainan, Taiwan, and
Chia-Hung Shih
Bachelor Program of Computer and Intelligent Robot,
National Pingtung University, Pingtung City, Taiwan
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aimsto examine the role of the creation task–technologyfit (CTTF) in the knowledge
creation performance (KCP).The creation task features represented by goal-driven, goal-free and goal-frame
modes (GDM, GFM and GRM) and informationand communication technology (ICT) supportive featuresare
considered.The moderation effect of cognitive style represented by analyticaland intuitive styles is explored.
Contributionsand implications are addressed.
Design/methodology/approach –The literature review on creation task, ICT, cognitivebehavior and
fit theory, and the research gap with respectto the antecedents of KCP are presented. The research arguments
are then hypothesized and the research model developed to describe that the proposed role is examined
empirically.
Findings –Research findings are obtained on the basis of the data analysis of 258 valid subjects from
research institutesas well as manufacturing and service industries. The effect of CTTFon creation outcomes
is significantly confirmed. The ICT supportive functions are unlikely significantly related to CTTF for the
analysis-styled group, but the intuition-styled group shows a likely significance because of the different
means of dealing with information and knowledgeprocessing. The analysis-styled group disagrees with the
significant link of the GDM with CTTF, whereasthe intuition-styled group presents the significant effectsof
GDM, GFM and GRM on CTTF.
Originality/value –The unique features of knowledge creation differentiate it from other tasks. With
respect to whether the knowledgecreation task presented by goal is defined or not, and how ICT better suits
the creation task features to benefit the creation outcomesare yet to be discussed. The individual cognitive
style is confirmed to alternate the effect of ICT and GDM on CTTF in the proposed model. The research
findings are particularly obvious because a transition gap, less covered by the literature, might exist with
regard to the perception connection of knowledge creation service providers, agencies, consultants and
contextcreators.
Keywords Knowledge creation, Task-technology fit, Cognitive style
Paper type Research paper
1. Background
Knowledge creation is a multidimensionalissue that is primarily linked with strategy (Kim
et al.,2014), leadership (von Krogh et al., 2012), culture (Chen and Fong, 2015), cognitive
Task-
technology fit
in knowledge
creation
83
Received31 January 2017
Revised4 June 2017
Accepted12 July 2017
VINEJournal of Information and
KnowledgeManagement Systems
Vol.48 No. 1, 2018
pp. 83-102
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5891
DOI 10.1108/VJIKMS-01-2017-0005
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2059-5891.htm
behavior (Luse et al., 2013;Aggarwal and Woolley, 2013;Peterson and Meissel, 2015),
creation task (Kao et al.,2011;Andersen, 2014;Wu et al., 2015;Uy et al., 2015) and
technology (Canzano and Grimaldi, 2012;Zhang et al., 2015)(Table I). Its outcomes are
derived from the mutual agitationand conversion of tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge
(Nonaka and Takeuchi,1995); hence, knowledge creation is influenced by intrinsic traits (e.g.
individual cognitive behavior)and extrinsic traits (e.g. environment, tool usage and creation
policy). Existing studies have presented the important aspects and antecedents those are
significantly linked with creation performance, whereas the effects of both creation task
features (represented by predefined or non-predefined goals) and technology features
(represented by presentation, interaction, collaboration and cooperation) on creation
outcomes (Table I) are still under examination. Moreover, the role of cognitive behavior
represented by intuitive or analytical stylesand its moderation effect on creation outcomes
are also under exploration.
Human thinking behavior in terms of individual differences in cognitive traits affects
knowledge creation (Wu et al.,2010;Bloodgood and Chilton, 2012;Luse et al.,2013).
Cognitive style influences the preference in sharing knowledge in virtual teams and overall
cognitive style is more likely a predictor of working preferencethan personality (Luse et al.,
2013). Further investigation of the effect of cognitive styles represented by intuition and
analysis on individual knowledgecreation is still needed. Deeply understanding behavioral
Table I.
Variable categories
linked with creation
contexts
Concepts/variables Operating categories Contexts References
Goal definition Task Creativity James and Roffe (2000)
Goal commitment Entrepreneurial effort Uy et al. (2015)
Goal, self-regulation Task, technology Creation Papies et al. (2009)
Mission, computer tools Value creation Andersen(2014)
Goal, self-regulation Task, cognition Behavior creation Papies et al. (2009)
Goal definition, organizational
culture
Task, culture Knowledge Creation Kao et al. (2011)
Goal definition, cognitive style,
social media
Task, cognition,
technology
Creation Wu et al. (2015)
Electronic discussion forums Technology Productdesign Hoegl and Schulze
(2005)
Computer-aided systems Product innovation Vezzetti et al. (2011)
Technology, skilled knowledge Innovation Kleis et al. (2011)
Individual difference, groupware Technology,
cognition
Group idea generation Garfield et al. (2001)
ICT for externalization and
combination
Technology, process Creation Tsai and Li (2007)
Cognitive style and personality Cognition Working preference toward
creation
Luse et al. (2013)
Cognitive styles Strategy creation Aggarwal and
Woolley (2013)
Cognitive style Academic performance Peterson and Meissel
(2015)
Creation process, behavior Cognition, process Product design Schulzeand Hoegl
(2008)
Leadership Strategy, leadership Knowledge assets von Krogh et al. (2012)
Strategy, information systems,
sharing
Technology, strategy Knowledge management Kim et al. (2014)
Technology, process, culture Technology,process,
culture
Chen and Fong (2015)
VJIKMS
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