Organizational prerequisites for knowledge creation and sharing: empirical evidence from Serbia

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1543-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Stojanović-Aleksić ◽  
Jelena Erić Nielsen ◽  
Aleksandra Bošković

Purpose Being mindful of the importance of organizational structure and organizational culture for knowledge management in companies, the purpose of this study is to investigate the organizational prerequisites for creating and sharing knowledge. The goals are to determine whether and to what extent the attributes of organic structure contribute to the creation and sharing of knowledge and to show that an organizational culture which supports knowledge stimulates the processes of knowledge creation and sharing. Design/methodology/approach The data for the empirical study was obtained through a survey of 150 respondents, employed in 30 companies from several industries, in the Republic of Serbia. The questionnaire was adapted to the needs of the study and was developed based on the theoretical knowledge and findings of several previous studies on processes of knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. A regression method was used to test all hypotheses. Findings The results show that both the organic structure and the organizational culture that support knowledge have positive effects on knowledge creation, while knowledge sharing is positively influenced only by the knowledge supporting culture of an organization. Originality/value This study contributes to organization studies and knowledge management theory because of the holistic approach taken with regards to the issue involved and the fact that it takes into account a large number of the significant characteristics of organizational structure and culture that are relevant to knowledge management processes. The findings could prove useful to managers when structuring an organization and shaping its culture to enhance knowledge management.

Author(s):  
Vesna Stojanović-Aleksić ◽  
Jelena Erić Nielsen ◽  
Aleksandra Bošković

Knowledge management is necessary in order to face the contemporary challenges in banking industry, related to hyper-competition, market differentiation and improvement of business performance. It involves several phases, and the paper focuses on the knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. Also, a brief insight into the features of an organizational culture that supports knowledge management is provided. The goals of the research are to determine the levels of knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and knowledge-supporting organizational culture, in the Serbian banking sector. After the literature review, a survey was conducted and data was processed with a statistical method. The paper contributes to the literature both in the fields of banking management and knowledge management. The findings may be useful to bank managers, because the importance of knowledge management in banks is highlighted and practical guidelines for the improvement of less developed aspects of knowledge creation and sharing are provided.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ling-hsing Chang ◽  
Tung-Ching Lin

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 2256-2276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Valio Dominguez Gonzalez ◽  
Tatiana Massaroli Melo

Purpose Organizations are currently set in a background of dramatic discontinuity, i.e., environments that require continuous change due to fierce competition and market latent demands. From this perspective, it becomes eminent for organizations to develop an organizational context that stimulates routines reconstruction and internal capabilities to continue to be a competitive organization. The purpose of this paper is to examine entry and exit relationships of knowledge management (KM). Entries are considered, in this paper, the foundation factors of KM, and exits are related to dynamic capability (DC). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a survey conducted with 550 companies of the automotive industry, which are registered in the database of SINDIPEÇAS (National Union of Automobile Component Industries) with return rate of 143 valid questionnaires. The hypothesis testing and analysis were conducted using structural equation modeling. Findings The research shows the organizational structure as the main contextual factor related to KM, that supports DC. Besides organizational structure, this paper also assesses the interaction between human resources and organizational culture related to DC. Practical implications The results may help managers of companies from the automotive industry to understand which initiatives promote DC and innovation. Originality/value This paper presents one of the few researches that compare contextual factors related to KM that support DC; and it also compares the connection among human resources, organizational culture and organizational structure related to KM.


Author(s):  
Somayeh Asghari ◽  
Sahar Targholi ◽  
Ali Kazemi ◽  
Saeed Shahriyari ◽  
Lila Rajabion

Purpose Competitive intelligence (CI) collects data through the distribution of knowledge to make decisions in a competitive environment. To better comprehend the concept of CI, the purpose of this paper is to determine the role of effective factors (knowledge sharing, competitor information, information technology (IT) and organizational culture) and their impact on CI. In addition, the paper provides a conceptual framework for determining the practical factors on CI. Design/methodology/approach For evaluating the elements of the model, a questionnaire is considered. Questionnaires were reread by specialists with significant experiences in the CI field. For statistical analysis, the SPSS 22 and SmartPLS 3.2 software package is also used. Findings Findings from the study showed the validity of the model for a CI assessment. Furthermore, the results confirmed that the competitor information significantly influenced CI. In addition, the obtained results implied that IT has a significant and positive influence on CI. The effect of organizational culture on CI also proved to be positive and significant. Research limitations/implications This paper makes significant contributions for both researchers and practitioners; however, the authors determine some limitations, which are as follows: First, the authors showed the result in a single region. It cannot be assured that the results are generalizable to other areas. Second, because of time and financial constraints, the authors gathered the data using a sample from a single location. Third, the use of variables to depict CI may be not exhaustive. The authors, therefore, encourage future research to study these CI dimensions. Practical implications This study meaningfully contributes to the knowledge and literature by focusing more on CI, examining other significant aspects and applying advanced statistical analysis method. Also, current research results suggest practical implications for marketing practitioners and managers who implemented tools and made strategic plans to enhance the organization’s performance. From a practical perspective, the statistical results support the crucial role of the following factors: IT, competitor information, organizational culture and knowledge sharing on CI. Originality/value Experts in the area of knowledge management, CI and strategic management can use this study to gain a competitive advantage based on knowledge and information resources. Organizations must have knowledge management function and CI to support the strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 44-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrida Girnienė

Nūdienos dinamiškoje aplinkoje informacija ir žinios yra vieni iš esminių organizacijos išteklių ir pagrindiniai inovacijų šaltiniai. Šių išteklių tikslingas valdymas lemia organizacijų konkurencinį pranašumą kuriant didesnę pridėtinę vertę ir didinant jos procesų efektyvumą. Atsižvelgiant į Pasaulio ekonomikos forumo 2013–2014 metų šalių konkurencingumo tyrimo rezultatus, Lietuva užima 27 vietą tarp 148 valstybių pagal žmonių, turinčių aukštąjį išsilavinimą, skaičių, tačiau 44 vietą – pagal inovacijų ir verslo lankstumo subindeksą. Šie statistiniai duomenys leidžia daryti prielaidą, kad Lietuvos organizacijose žinių potencialas yra aukštas, tačiau jis nėra pakankamai išnaudojamas. Susiklosčiusi realybė verčia ieškoti būdų ir metodų, kaip būtų galima ją keisti lygiuojantis į užsienio šalių patirtį. Viena iš priežasčių, kodėl Lietuvos inovatyvumo indeksas yra ganėtinai žemas, galėtų būti ta, kad dažnai organizacijoje trūksta sistemingumo ir tikslingumo valdant žinias, nesukuriama atvira, darbuotojų pasitikėjimą skatinanti aplinka, kai darbuotojai noriai dalijasi žiniomis ir įgyta patirtimi, dėl to sukuriamos naujos prekės ir paslaugos, įgyjamas konkurencinis pranašumas. Šio straipsnio tikslas – konceptualių teorinių įžvalgų analizės rezultatų pagrindu, pasitelkiant inovatyviam sektoriui priklausančią įmonių grupę, nustatyti esminių žinių valdymo veiklų įtaką nuolatiniam inovacijų kūrimui organizacijoje.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: žinios, žinių valdymas, inovacijos, žinių valdymo modelis, žinių valdymo strategija, organizacinė kultūra, mokymasis. Knowledge management influence on continuous creation of innovations: a case studyIngrida Girnienė Summary The knowledge-oriented society and economic challenges evoke constant changes in all modern organizations. Knowledge is an inexhaustible source of creating innovative ideas, which is one of the essential conditions of innovation development. Today, knowledge management is closely associated with innovative activities. The scope of studies related to determining the impact of knowledge management on innovation is constantly increasing. In order to continuously create innovations, organizations should formulate their knowledge management strategy and integrate it into the organizational strategy, create the organizational culture which could stimulate knowledge sharing, promote continuous learning and the improvement of competencies, identify the key knowledge, create new ideas, develop and acquire new skills, constantly store and share knowledge. The article highlights knowledge management activities affecting innovation, presents an integral knowledge management model which stimulates a continuous creation of innovations, and provides a case study results demonstrating the knowledge management influence on innovation. According to the case study results, knowledge management processes, particularly knowledge sharing, storage, and creation, make the greatest impact on the continuous creation of innovations. Besides, the organizational culture and the organizational structure also influence the process of innovation creation. The knowledge processes, such as sharing and storage, make the greatest influence on the organizational, marketing and product innovation, and process innovation is impossible without knowledge acquisition and storage. Organisations seeking to continuously create different types of innovation should develop knowledge management processes, with a particular emphasis on knowledge storage while applying appropriate technological solutions, and knowledge sharing while creating a favourable organizational culture and choosing the optimal organizational structure.


VINE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Zahidul Islam ◽  
Sajjid M. Jasimuddin ◽  
Ikramul Hasan

Purpose – This paper aims to examine how organizational culture, structure and technology infrastructure influence knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on quantitative research, administered on 90 managerial staff in multinational corporations (MNCs) based in Malaysia. Findings – The paper explains the role of organizational cultural and structure on knowledge-sharing processes in MNCs, with the moderating effect of technology infrastructure. Learning and development, top management support and centralization are positively related to knowledge sharing, using technology infrastructure as a moderator. Research limitations/implications – The findings will help MNCs to create an appropriate environment of knowledge sharing. However, the research is limited to MNC’s in Penang, Malaysia, only. Furthermore, similar research can be extended to MNCs in other Asian countries with a larger sample which may bring more statistical power and, thereby, increases generalizability. Practical implications – The outcome of this research provides useful indications of how organizations can work to ensure knowledge sharing within their work place. Originality/value – While the links between organizational culture and knowledge sharing and between organizational structure and knowledge sharing have been examined independently, few studies have investigated the association between the three concepts. This paper examines the nature of this relationship and presents empirical evidence, which suggests that the relationship between organizational culture, organizational structure and knowledge sharing is moderated by the technology infrastructure.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 366-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poonam Veer Ramjeawon ◽  
Jennifer Rowley

Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to research on knowledge management in higher education institutions (HEIs), by studying the enablers and barriers to knowledge management in a country with a developing higher education sector, Mauritius. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior staff in the main public and private HEIs in Mauritius. Questions focused on knowledge management, including relevant barriers and enabling factors to knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer. Findings Although participants were able to discuss knowledge management, none of the universities had a knowledge management strategy. Moreover, more barriers than enablers to knowledge management were identified. Barriers included: a lack of policies and reward mechanisms, resources, data, funding and time for research, coupled with frequent leadership changes, a lack of a knowledge-sharing culture and research repositories and weak industry–academia linkages. Enablers were perceived to be: qualified and experienced academic staff in public HEIs, information technology (IT) infrastructure and library/digital library and some incentives for knowledge creation and transfer. Originality/value Previous research on knowledge management in universities has focused on countries with a relatively well-developed higher education sector. This research contributes by focusing on the perceived barriers and enablers to knowledge management in a country with a small and developing higher education sector.


2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 734-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Fu Ho ◽  
Pei-Hsuan Hsieh ◽  
Wei-Hsi Hung

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to attempt to assist firms in applying knowledge management (KM) through developing an integrated model which considers knowledge enablers, knowledge circulation processes (KCP), and job performance. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilizes a questionnaire technique to validate the proposed integrated model. Structural equation modeling also validated the model. Findings – All dimensions in the construct of organizational culture positively impact KCP. However, the formalized organizational structure appears to have a positive impact on KCP, while the autonomous organizational structure did not. This study also finds that KCP has a positive impact on both task outcomes and contextual job performance. Research limitations/implications – The integrated model, which served to examine the impact of KM enablers on KCP, from the standpoints of organizational culture and organizational structure, along with the impact of KCP on job performance, has improved understanding of the relationships among KM enablers, KCP, and job performance. Practical implications – Firms should carefully consider methods for adjusting internal structural designs or institute various mechanisms to promote the use of KM to maintain the organization's long-term competitive advantage. Originality/value – The model contributes to firms’ understanding the influence of knowledge enablers on KCP, and provides a KM performance index for assessment of individual performance. Research results can provide enterprises with guidance for implementing initiatives for KM initiatives.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Yasir ◽  
Abdul Majid

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of trust in the relationship between knowledge management enablers (i.e. top management support, organizational culture, knowledge management system quality, and openness in communication) on knowledge sharing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted through self-administered survey of employees of SMEs in Pakistan. Correlation, Baron and Kenny approach (causal steps approach) and PROCESS Macro (normal test theory) developed by Hayes were used to find out the direct and indirect effects of trust among knowledge management enablers and knowledge sharing. Findings The results have shown that trust of employees at SMEs was developed through knowledge management enablers which promote knowledge sharing. Therefore, the relationship between knowledge management enablers, trust, and knowledge sharing is positive. Research limitations/implications The current study only considered the single aspect of knowledge management system, i.e. knowledge sharing; some other aspects of knowledge management system such as knowledge creation and knowledge utilization can be used for future studies at SMEs sector. Practical implications The mediation of trust between top management support, culture, openness in communication, and knowledge sharing provided that trustworthy relationships between the members of an organization would lead to enhance the knowledge sharing activities. In order to promote the knowledge sharing attitudes within the organization, the managers should consider knowledge management enablers (top management support, organizational culture, and openness in communication) along with trustworthy environment as an energetic force for the development of knowledge management systems. Originality/value The study confirmed the mediating effect of trust between the relationships of top management support, organizational culture, openness in communication, and knowledge sharing, while there is a partial mediating role of trust between knowledge management system quality and knowledge sharing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anchalee Kokanuch ◽  
Khwanruedee Tuntrabundit

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of organizational culture and stakeholders’ expectations on the relationship between organizational factors and organizations’ knowledge-sharing capability. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from public and private hospital administrators in Thailand via a questionnaire. To test the hypotheses, the data were analyzed using regression analysis. Findings The results reveal that organizational culture has a positive effect on the relationship between organizational climate and knowledge integration, while stakeholders’ expectations have positive effects on the relationships between organizational climate and interchanging knowledge. Research limitations/implications The present study focuses on knowledge sharing at an organizational level; future studies should examine knowledge sharing at both the organizational and individual levels. Practical implications This paper focuses on the effect of organizational factors on knowledge-sharing capability in hospitals. Executives should support the organizational climate and collaborative organizational culture for promoting knowledge integration in an organization. Furthermore, interchanging knowledge and organizational climate could be emphasized by the expectations of stakeholders. Originality/value Design of organizational climate, organizational culture, and expectations of stakeholders contribute to knowledge sharing at an organizational level.


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