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Channel: Emerald Group Publishing Limited: Journal of Knowledge Management: Table of Contents
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Understanding and Managing Knowledge Loss

September 5, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - Research on knowledge loss is at an early stage of evolution. This paper seeks to extend the existent literature through an exploratory investigation of the drivers and impacts of knowledge loss, as well as associated retention strategies within manufacturing and service operations.Design/methodology/approach - Multiple research streams are used to explore and capture the complexities and intricacies of knowledge loss within four firms. We follow a multiple case study approach with theoretical sampling of manufacturing and service firms. Findings - The results of this study suggest that organizations should retain and diffuse architectural knowledge, improve strategic coordination among units, develop existing capabilities through different networking strategies and more effective networks, and transform these capabilities into effective organizational routines to mitigate knowledge loss and increase knowledge retention. Meanwhile, relying solely on standard operating procedures, information systems, and codification of knowledge in databases could undermine knowledge retention and lead to knowledge loss.Practical implications - A comprehensive strategy to guide KM efforts and actions should be adopted. Moreover, knowledge cannot be retained without the adoption of an integrative approach that comprises various strategies and without management commitment and drive.Originality/value - The findings of this exploratory investigation add to our understanding of the knowledge loss phenomenon by showing that it is much more complex than was found in earlier studies emanating from various research streams. The paper proposes directions for future research.
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Emerging personal intelligence in collective goals: data analysis on the bottom-up approach from PKM to OKM

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– A pattern of personal intelligence is seen emerging from the concept of agent-mediated personal knowledge management (PKM) in achieving collective organisational goals. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of surveys undertaken to prove this emergence.Design/methodology/approach– A quantitative analysis supported by a qualitative analysis was conducted across three main industries in Malaysia, namely manufacturing, service and education. The triangulation of analysis is based on the four proposed hypotheses.Findings– From these analyses, it was discovered that the emergence of personal intelligence is embedded within the collaborative interactions amongst software agents, and between agents and human knowledge workers. All the hypotheses are supported by the results of the surveys which manifest organisational knowledge management (OKM) practices as a consequence of the agent-mediated PKM processes.Research limitations/implications– This research focused on the PKM in Malaysia, where the level of KM implementation varies among the organisations. The results may not reflect other developing countries due to the socio-cultural differences amongst the knowledge workers.Practical implications– The results from this paper can be used either to relook and reanalyse the existing organisational KM system or to plan and design a KM system for organisations that have not implemented any.Originality/value– The focus on personal intelligence and agent-mediated PKM contribute to further development of agent-based system that animates these theories in the real working environment.
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The peculiarities of knowledge management processes in SMEs: the case of Singapore

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– The objectives of this study are two-fold. The first is to examine the peculiarities of KM processes that are unique in SMEs from three perspectives, namely knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and knowledge reuse. Secondly, to identify enablers and impediments of these KM processes that influence the competitiveness of SMEs.Design/methodology/approach– The study adopted a case study approach involving 21 participants comprising management staff and front-line employees from four Singaporean SMEs.Findings– The SME owner, rather than the employees, was found to be the key source and creator of knowledge and the sole driver of the KM processes. In SMEs, knowledge creation takes the form of innovative customized solutions to meet customers' needs; knowledge sharing occurs through cross functionality, overlapping roles, and facilitated by close physical proximity in open workspaces; and knowledge reuse is often made tacitly, where common knowledge is prevalently embedded within the KM processes of SMEs. The enablers of knowledge creation process rested largely on the owner's innovativeness, creativity and ability to acquire knowledge of the industry. Knowledge sharing processes are enabled by the awareness of roles, mutual respect and the level of trust among employees within the SME while knowledge reuse is fostered by close proximity of employees and the willingness and openness of the owner to impart his knowledge. The lack of the above enablement factors mentioned will hinder these KM processes.Research limitations/implications– The study is limited by the fact that data was collected from four SMEs in Singapore. Furthermore, only a small sample of staff from these SMEs was interviewed. Hence the findings need to be interpreted in light of such a scope.Practical implications– For SMEs, this research provides perspectives on the factors influencing KM processes, in particular, the importance of the owners' knowledge and leadership, the flexibility and adaptability of the organization, and open culture to enable the capitalization of its knowledge assets to survive and stay competitive. For practitioners, this paper reinforces the importance of the management owners' innovativeness, initiatives and support, and the level of social interaction and high level of trusts among employees in the SMEs to as enablers to effective KM processes in SMEs.Originality/value– To deepen on-going knowledge management research on SMEs, this paper provides insights and rich context to the distinctness of KM processes in SMEs.
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Inter-organizational knowledge transfer: the perspective of knowledge governance

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– The main purposes of this study are to develop a knowledge governance mechanism-fit-barrier matrix mode to resolve transfer problems resulting from knowledge characteristics and to clarify the relationship among knowledge characteristics, barriers of knowledge transfer, and effective knowledge transfer in inter-organizational contexts.Design/methodology/approach– The vast literature on knowledge transfer in inter-organizational context has been reviewed. Moreover, to develop a theoretical framework, the authors developed a set of arguments based on literature pertaining to the knowledge-based view of knowledge characteristics and barriers and the response of network to inter-organizational knowledge transfer.Findings– Knowledge-based view of knowledge characteristics and barriers and knowledge governance may provide a new understanding for network organizations seeking effective knowledge transfer strategies in inter-organizational context.Research limitations/implications– The main contribution to organizational theory is extending information-processing theory to form a new strategic model for inter-organizational knowledge transfer.Practical implications– The fit model of governance mechanisms may help managers to make effective strategies for inter-organizational knowledge transfer.Originality/value– Theoretically, this paper extends Information Processing Theory to inter-organizational relationships research. The developed model here also helps to explain the importance of cognitive dimensions for successful inter-organizational knowledge transfer. In KM practice, the proposed well-developed strategic models may help managers to link inter-organizational knowledge transfer processes to business strategy, and validate of the way to convert the goal of making their network organizations more intelligent into a strategic action.
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Signaling, spillover and learning effects of knowledge flows on division performance within related diversified firms

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– This study aims to address the performance consequences of knowledge transfer within related diversified firms by distinguishing between knowledge outflows and knowledge inflows at the business division level.Design/methodology/approach– Questionnaire data from a sample of 118 business divisions were analyzed using stepwise linear regression.Findings– The results from a three-effect model for the analysis of knowledge transfer indicate that knowledge outflow improves division performance, while knowledge inflow damages it when absorptive capacity is weak. The overall effect of knowledge transfer is therefore beneficial with the exception of the cases of receiving divisions with low levels of absorptive capacity.Practical implications– These results indicate that knowledge transfer contributes to overall corporate performance, since knowledge outflow impacts positively on division performance in all cases and knowledge inflow impacts negatively on division performance only in some cases. Setting aside the obvious task of promoting knowledge transfer within the firm, one important concern for corporate officers would be to prevent situations in which a division lacks the absorptive capacity to play its role within a corporate network.Originality/value– This work contributes to existent literature by disentangling the effects of knowledge transfer according to different theoretical perspectives, and it provides an empirical examination in a setting which is intensive in knowledge transference, as is that of business divisions from related diversified firms.
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Knowledge loss when older experts leave knowledge-intensive organisations

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to describe different concepts of valuable knowledge that are perceived to be lost when an older expert departs from a knowledge-intensive organisation.Design/methodology/approach– A multiple case research methodology and semi-structured interviews involving 17 participants from five small-to-medium enterprises (SME).Findings– Five concepts of valuable knowledge have emerged from the interviews: subject matter expertise; knowledge about business relationships and social networks; organisational knowledge and institutional memory; knowledge of business systems, processes and value chains; and knowledge of governance.Research limitations/implications– The scope of the research project is restricted to SMEs in New Zealand and this restriction limits the generalisation of the results to other contexts. This study may serve as a starting point for future investigations including larger organisations that may have a greater number of older experts.Practical implications– By identifying the different types of older experts' knowledge, organisations are able to realise the potential of retaining that knowledge within the organisation.Originality/value– This is one of the first investigations of the knowledge that older experts in the professional services industry possess within a small-to-medium enterprise context.
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Organizational unlearning and organizational relearning: a dynamic process of knowledge management

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to propose a model to explore the dynamic process of knowledge management from the perspectives of organizational unlearning and organizational relearning, which promote a favorable context for knowledge management.Design/methodology/approach– The model is proposed based on extensive review of literatures. According to this model, the evolutions of organizational unlearning and organizational relearning are separately analyzed, and the interactions between them are revealed.Findings– Organizational unlearning and organizational relearning are the indispensable factors to the dynamic knowledge management. Organizational unlearning positively affects the dynamic knowledge management by discarding the outdated and useless knowledge, while organizational relearning has a positive influence on the dynamic knowledge management by acquiring the new knowledge. Organizational unlearning and organizational relearning have synergies on the dynamic knowledge management.Research limitations/implications– This paper theoretically illuminates the relationships among organizational unlearning, organizational relearning and knowledge management, and doesn't offer an empirical test.Practical implications– This paper will provide insights to practitioners to better understand the dynamic process of knowledge management. The practitioners need to provide favorable context to ensure that organizational unlearning and organizational relearning can occur.Originality/value– Most existing studies focused on the inflows of knowledge, but the outflows of knowledge still lack sufficient attention, especially the dynamic process of knowledge management. The framework provides guides in that process.
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Knowledge management and measurement: a critical review

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– Knowledge is the currency of the current economy, a vital organisational asset and a key to creating a sustainable competitive advantage. The consequent interest in knowledge management (KM) has spurred an exponential increase in publications covering a broad spectrum of diverse and overlapping research areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review and categorised analysis of the rapidly growing number of KM publications, and offer a comprehensive reference for new-comers embarking on research in the field with a particular focus on the area of knowledge measurement.Design/methodology/approach– A total of 350 articles published in peer-reviewed journals over the last decade are carefully reviewed, analysed and categorised according to their specific subject matter in the KM context.Findings– KM research tends to fall in one of five categories: Ontology of Knowledge and KM, Knowledge Management Systems, Role of Information Technology, Managerial and Social issues, and Knowledge Measurement. Despite the accumulation of extensive publication efforts in some areas, a series of disagreements and a theory-practice gap are revealed as challenging issues that need to be addressed.Research limitations/implications– The scope of this study does not cover KM research in its entirety due to the vast nature of the research field.Originality/value– This paper presents a new birds-eye view of the KM landscape through a novel taxonomy of KM research providing researchers with new insights for future applied research, and offers a comprehensive critical review of major knowledge measurement frameworks.
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Knowledge management: a key determinant in advancing technological innovation?

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– This paper purports to analyze the relationship between knowledge management (KM) and technological innovation in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the interrelationships between the KM dimensions will also be investigated.Design/methodology/approach– Survey data from 162 manufacturing firms were obtained. Multiple linear regression and neural network analysis were performed in this study to examine the relationships between KM and technological innovation; as well as the interrelationships between KM practices themselves.Findings– This research study provides empirical evidence and confirms the results of past researchers that KM practices (i.e. knowledge sharing, knowledge application and knowledge storage) are positively and significantly related to technological innovation (i.e. product and process innovation). Moreover, it is also discovered that the interrelationships between the KM dimensions are positive and significant.Research limitations/implications– This research implies that when firms understand the significance of KM dimensions, there is a great possibility that the firm will succeed in harvesting the full value of technological innovation. Meanwhile, the result may also serve as a guide to the manufacturing managers to understand the importance of KM in their managerial actions, so that the level of technological innovation in their firms can be greatly enhanced.Originality/value– Extensive research has not been done in the past to examine the relationship between the KM and technological innovation. Meanwhile, the investigation on the interrelationships between the KM dimensions has also been scarce. Hence, such a research is to be called for. This paper provides the manufacturing practitioners with useful guidelines on the appropriate KM practices to be implemented to ensure the improvement in technological innovation.
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Ethical issues in knowledge management: conflict of knowledge ownership

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– This paper aims to review ethical issues inherent in the theorisation and practice of knowledge management (KM) with specific attention to the conflict of knowledge ownership between organisations and individual employees.Design/methodology/approach– Relevant literature was identified and reviewed via EPSCO host and ISIWeb.Findings– The paper notes that knowledge, although rooted in individuals, is often claimed or treated as owned by organisations, creating a conflict of knowledge ownership. The paper argues that such an approach to appropriation and management of knowledge leads to tension in knowledge processes between organisations and individuals, and also among individuals. This situation may, in turn, jeopardise individuals' knowledge processing behaviours, and pose difficulties to organisations in managing knowledge effectively.Research limitations/implications– Offers a number of potential research questions that may be turned into research hypotheses and assessed experimentally to refine and develop an ethical approach to KM.Practical implications– Highlights the need for a renewed moral contract between individuals and organisations, built on ethical constructs of trust, fairness, and justice, which may in turn lead to effective KM practices.Originality/value– Offers an original conceptual approach to understand and resolve the conflict of knowledge ownership between organizations and individuals.
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Physical environment as a source for innovation: investigating the attributes of innovative space

October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
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Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how physical spaces intersect with innovation and innovativeness, and what the most relevant attributes of physical space are for innovation.Design/methodology/approach– The paper reflects the changing nature of innovation, from technological advancements to services and meaning changes, and argues that the development of innovative spaces similarly embodies a diverse set of values such as collaboration, openness, and sustainability. Using a literature review, interviews, and benchmarking data, the paper examines the relationship between physical environment and innovation.Findings– The findings from both the literature review and the interviews underline innovation as a communicative and human-centred process. As a result five attributes of innovative space are presented: collaboration enabling, modifiability, smartness, attractiveness, and value reflecting.Originality/value– The results provide perspectives to the challenge of how to support innovation creation by developing physical spaces. The paper adds to the conceptual development of innovative space and outlines physical space as an innovative service.
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A decision tree conceptualization of choice of knowledge transfer mechanism: the views of software development specialists in a multinational company

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to empirically study transfer mechanisms of technological knowledge, and to explore the interplay among the factors that influence the choice of a mechanism. Design/methodology/approach - This paper reports on a qualitative case study designed to explore the reasons underlying the selection of intra-organizational knowledge transfer mechanisms. This research was carried out as an exploratory case study, which allowed to observe the phenomenon in a natural setting.Findings - The results of the present study indicate the interplay between the factors, and link the factors in a sequence that help decide a mechanism. A decision to select a mechanism depends upon several variables; some of them override others, others are interlinked, and sometimes there is a causal link.Research limitations/implications - It is based on a sample of employees that may not be representative of the broader population. Since the samples were drawn only from a MNC, the results may not be generalised. The case study method which was employed in this research does not permit the generalisation of the results.Originality/value - The knowledge transfer literature has discussed the mechanisms used to transfer technological knowledge, but has failed to adequately address the rationale behind the selection of an appropriate knowledge transfer mechanism. The extant literature has isolatedly identified factors that impact on the choice of knowledge transfer mechanism. These issues are not effectively addressed in prior research. The findings are summarized diagrammatically in the form of a decision tree which provides a conceptualization of the decision processes involved in the selection of the medium for knowledge transfer.
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Individual antecedents of ACAP and implications of social context in joint engineering project teams: A conceptual model

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - This paper attempts to propose a conceptual model to explain the micro-level antecedents of absorptive capacity (ACAP) and social context of joint engineering project teams. It delineates ACAP into four dimensions and suggests specific level for each dimension. Revisiting the micro-foundational origin of ACAP, acquisition of partner’s embedded knowledge through joint project teams requires complex interaction among individuals, thus the effect of individual differences and perception in the team’s context is proposed. Design/methodology/approach - Cohen and Levinthal’s (1990) assertion on the conceptual affinity that ACAP shares with creative capacity and organizational learning was revisited. Upon synthesizing pertinent literature, individual antecedents were conceptualized, while strategic alliance literature was examined to theorize on the social context. Findings - Propositions relating individual antecedents and social context to associated dimension of ACAP are postulated. Furthermore, the paper suggests a need for further inquest on the implication of cultural differences.Research limitations/implications - The hypothesized relationships among the constructs are subject to empirical investigation in order to deepen our understanding on individual differences and social contextual effects.Practical implications - Based on the conceptualized relationships among micro-level antecedents, multidimensional ACAP, and social context, this manuscript recommends some practical guidelines in the context of joint engineering project teams. Originality/value - This study explicates the micro-level antecedents of ACAP within a joint engineering project team. By integrating individual and social context, it advances multilevel conceptualization of ACAP.
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Mapping the organizational factors that support knowledge management in the Brazilian automotive industry

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - The latest models on Knowledge Management (KM) recognize four phases for its practice: acquisition, storage, distribution, and knowledge utilization. The KM is characterized as a multidisciplinary discipline, involving both technical and social aspects. Therefore, the outline proposed for this research is both social and of coordination, aiming to identify contextual factors, internally developed in the organizations, which support the KM process in the Brazilian companies in the automotive sector. Design/methodology/approach - To achieve the research purpose, a quantitative research method was employed, based on a survey research in automotive sector.Findings - The results point to the existence of eight contextual factors that support the KM process in the organizations. These factors are mainly related to the human being, responsible for the retention and transformation of primary knowledge, and the development of an organizational context that encourages the learning process through the culture and structure designed for this purpose.Research limitations/implications - One of limitations is that the study is based on constructs derived from a theoretical background, however it do not offer an empirical test to validate the selected constructs. Future studies could create a metric to evaluate the constructs consistency and use regression analysis to validate them. The second limitation relates to empirical research. The survey achieved a return of 78 companies and a larger sample could provide more robust data. Practical implications - Practitioners need to take cognizance of the fact that KM process must not be confused nor focused on IT deployment. The development of an organizational context is much more complex and important to the success of KM. By characteristics of mapped factors, it is possible to conclude that KM process is focused on the development of individuals. It is from their employees that the organization promotes the knowledge exploitation in problem solving activities and incremental improvements, and knowledge exploration, rebuilding the competences to innovate the processes. Originality/value - The main contribution of this paper is to identify the factors that companies in the Brazilian automotive industry must develop in order to promote KM. Furthermore, the research shows the relationship between these factors and KM process.
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Industry clusters: an antidote for knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation?

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - This paper focuses on industry clusters and a rationale for why they may be considered an antidote for stimulating knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation.Design/methodology/approach - Community based participatory research was undertaken using case studies and interviews within four industry clusters based in two countries – Australia and Dubai. Findings were ranked according to a knowledge sharing relational framework.Findings - Industry clusters can play a key role in growing both established and new areas of economic development. Member firm collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation can result in positive outcomes if the cluster is managed and facilitated appropriately and knowledge sharing is nurtured.Research limitations/implications - The paper examines top-down, hybrid and bottom-up clustering from a variety of sectors as a way of understanding knowledge sharing and innovation exchange. However, given this research comprised case studies, it is recommended that broader, more internationally generalizable research is conducted that includes cluster firms within a range of sectors.Practical implications - The stimulation of opportunities for collaboration and innovation are mandatory for firms and regions to move forward. Irrespective of the uncertainty of the outcome, cluster managers/facilitators need to ensure that they provide regular opportunities for cluster firms facilitators/managers and representatives to network and generate new ideas.Originality/value - The role of cluster managers/facilitators in supporting knowledge sharing processes has been largely overlooked to date. Agglomeration needs both visible and invisible hands to stimulate knowledge sharing and exchange.
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Can e-business adoption be influenced by knowledge management? An empirical analysis of Malaysian SMEs

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - The aim of this research paper is to evaluate the effect of knowledge management on the adoption of the e-business in the supply chain of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approach - Questionnaires were distributed to 200 Malaysian SMEs with a response rate of 68%. Data were analyzed by employing multiple regression analysis. Findings - The results showed that knowledge management processes such as knowledge acquisition and knowledge application are significant in affecting Malaysian SMEs’ decision to adopt e-business in their supply chain. Knowledge dissemination was found not be significant in affecting the adoption of e-business among Malaysian SMEs.Practical implications - This study has addressed the previous lack of literatures on the relationship between knowledge management processes and e-business adoption among Malaysian SMEs. Originality/value - Although existing literatures have shown a relationship between knowledge management processes and technology adoption, this study empirically verify an adoption model based on knowledge management processes. SMEs can use this model to do a pre-test baseline measurement and reassessment of effect by any KM changes on e-business adoption periodically. Organizations planning to adopt e-business would also be able to apply strategies based on the findings from this research.
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Communities of practice, knowledge acquisition and innovation: a case study of science-based SMEs

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - Recent research into communities of practice (CoPs) has focused on large organizations, suggesting they can be constructed for the purposes of knowledge acquisition and innovation. The present study found that, for science-based SMEs, CoPs are more likely to emerge unplanned to support incremental innovation in the form of problem- solving activities.Design/methodology/approach - Deploying a social constructionist research methodology, thematic template analysis was used to analyze 25 in- depth interviews conducted with a range of employees in six science-based SMEs.Findings - Both intra and inter-organizational CoPs were leveraged for a variety of purposes, including knowledge acquisition and the enhancement of the organizations’ ability to generate innovative solutions.Research limitations/implications - Whilst there is no claim for the representativeness of the sample in relation to the wider population of science-based firms, the paper offers new material and theorizing in a domain which has been dominated to date by a focus upon large organizations and a managerialist orientation.Practical implications - A contextualized framework for the construction of CoPs in science-based SMEs has been developed from the findings of this study.Originality/value - The role of CoPs in science-based SMEs and the factors that influence their success or failure have been neglected to date, and thus have received little attention in the literature. Yet CoPs, as we found, can contribute to knowledge acquisition and innovation.
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The mediating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - The limited proximal communication between virtual team members can create a lack of trust among members which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of these teams. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness by looking into the mediating effect of knowledge sharing.Design/methodology/approach - This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a multinational company in Malaysia. Questionnaires were distributed to individuals working in a virtual environment. The questionnaire required the respondents to answer questions regarding three different types of trust (i.e. personality-based trust, institutional-based trust and cognitive-based trust), their knowledge sharing behavior, and their evaluation of the effectiveness of the virtual teams that they are involved with.Findings - Results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that knowledge sharing and all the three types of trust are significantly related to virtual team effectiveness. However, only personality-based trust and institutional-based trust are significantly related to knowledge sharing, but knowledge sharing only partially mediates the relationship between these two types of trust and team effectiveness.Research limitations/implications - The population of this study are virtual teams working for an organization, hence the generalizability of the findings to other settings is unknown.Originality/value - Trust has been founded to be a significant predictor of virtual team effectiveness. However, this paper shows the effect of different types of trust and the role of knowledge sharing in mediating the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness.
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The factors influencing CoP activities and their impact on relationship commitment and individual performance

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - The objective of this study is to identify the factors that affect CoP activation and performance variables obtainable through CoP activities, and to gain greater insight into their relationships and the mechanisms. In particular, we intend to illustrate the role of perceived risk factor for the loss of uniqueness of one’s own knowledge in terms of their influence on CoP activities. Design/methodology/approach - In this study, we divided the human behaviors into on-line and off-line CoP activities and adopted affirmative affect and social norm from the Triandis model. In addition, we considered perceived expectation, perceived risk, and organization support as independent variables. These would accelerate on-line and off-line activities in the community of practice. We considered relationship commitment and individual performance in the context of performance evaluations via CoP activities. We developed a structural equation model with research variables and hypotheses.Findings - As the consequence of our empirical assessment of the variables influencing the on/off-line activities of a CoP, social norm, perceived expectation, perceived risk, and organizational support showed significantly influential relationships with online activity, As the consequence of our empirical assessment of the variables influencing the on/off-line activities of a CoP, social norm, perceived expectation, perceived risk, and organizational support showed significantly influential relationships with on-line activities, and affirmative affect, perceived expectation, and organizational support evidenced significantly influential relationships with off-line activities. However, with regard to on-line CoP activities, affirmative affect was not shown to be significant. As to off-line activities, perceived risk was not shown to be significantly influential, while it was determined to significantly influence on-line activities in a negative direction. Originality/value - The results of this study demonstrated that on/off-line CoP activities were significantly influential in terms both of relationship commitment and individual performance.
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A multi-sage analysis of antecedents and consequences of knowledge management evolution

February 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Purpose - Drawing from knowledge-based view and balanced scorecard approach, this study develops an integrative model to examine the influence of two knowledge management (KM) strategies, codification KM strategy and personalization KM strategy, on the multi-stage KM evolution (KM adoption, implementation and institutionalization stages), which in turn affects balanced scorecard outcomes (financial performance, internal process performance, customer performance, and growth and learning performance).Design/methodology/approach - Survey data from 244 managers (currently and directly in charge of KM activities) in large Taiwanese firms were collected and used to test the research model using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.Findings - The results have revealed that both the codification KM strategy and personalization KM strategy are positive factors for stage-based KM evolution, but their relative importance differs across the three subsamples. Additionally, the results showed that the internal process and customer perspectives play a critical role in measuring performance during the earlier stages of KM evolution, while the financial and learning and growth perspectives emphasize the performance achievements from the latter stages.Practical implications - Since KM implementation is an evolutionary process, using both financial and non-financial measures to assess organizational performance through KM efforts, such as the four balanced scorecard perspectives, can take full advantage of stage-based KM evolution. The results indicate that the time-lag effect is critical to distinguishing different forms of organizational performance.Originality/value - Theoretically, this study aims to provide a research model that capable of understanding the antecedents and consequences of staged-based KM evolution. From a managerial perspective, the findings of this study provide valuable guidelines to policy-makers and practitioners in accelerating KM evolution and achieving organizational performance.
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