The Effect of Knowledge Sharing on Ambidextrous Innovation Mediated by Intellectual Capital

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Mahya Eshaghzadeh ¹
• Masumeh Arabshahi ²

¹ M.A. in Strategic Management, Department of Management, International University of Imam Reza, Mashhad, Iran

² 2- Assistant Professor, Department of Management, International University of Imam Reza, Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/tmj.2024.83662.1468

Abstract

 
1- INTRODUCTION
In today's turbulent business conditions, organizations that can acquire knowledge from the external environment and apply it to their products and processes may gain a competitive advantage and improve performance. To create value for their customers, knowledge-based firms invest in knowledge and consider knowledge management a basic measure in facing business challenges. Knowledge-based firms with high intellectual capital are more competent in innovation and achieving business objectives.
2- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Previous studies have addressed many issues and research questions. The effects of knowledge management on intellectual capital and organizational development and the impact of intellectual capital on organizational development have been studied and confirmed. Also, the mediating role of organizational ambidexterity in the relationship between intellectual capital and performance has been confirmed. The infrastructural capabilities of knowledge management on business intelligence with the mediation of open innovation have been confirmed in SMEs. Moreover, intellectual capital has been found to positively affect organizational ambidexterity; human, organizational, and communication capital on organizational ambidexterity; and knowledge management on open innovation and innovation capacity.
 
3- METHODOLOGY
The current research is a quantitative, practical, and descriptive-correlational study respectively, with the three criteria of nature, purpose, and method. The statistical population comprised the managers of knowledge-based firms of the growth center at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Conducting convenience sampling based on Cochran's formula, 110 managers were selected and studied by standard questionnaires. Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability coefficients were used to test the questionnaire's reliability, and convergent and divergent indices to evaluate its validity. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling with the partial least squares method in the SmartPLS 3 software.
 
4- RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The results indicated significant effects of knowledge sharing on intellectual capital dimensions including human, structural, and relational capital. The impacts of intellectual capital dimensions on both dimensions of ambidextrous innovation (explorative and exploitative innovation) were significant but not that of knowledge sharing. The indirect effects of knowledge sharing on explorative and exploitative innovation through human and structural capital were statistically confirmed. While relational capital mediated the relationship between knowledge sharing and explorative innovation, its mediation role was not confirmed for exploitative innovation.
 
5- CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS
This research has investigated the effect of knowledge sharing on organizational ambidexterity considering the mediating role of intellectual capital. Knowledge-based firms are the focus of science and technology development to create new ideas and knowledge sharing is the core of effective knowledge management. Therefore, knowledge-based firms should be suitable places to share knowledge and implement a knowledge-shared culture. Accordingly, they should try to encourage their employees to share knowledge. Also, by creating a friendly and reliable climate and a supportive culture in these firms, they provide a necessary platform for the cultivation of the talent of specialists. Additionally, with the proper management of knowledge sharing, they can strengthen the elements of intellectual capital and improve the performance of their knowledge system.

Keywords

• knowledge Sharing
• Intellectual Capital
• Explorative Innovation
• Exploitative Innovation
• knowledge-based Firms

©2024 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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