Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explain differing innovative behaviours in Spanish high and medium technology firms according to the investment made in knowledge management practices within their innovation processes and their investment in their workers’ capacities. Using a methodology of clusters, four separate types of behaviour were identified for their innovation performance. The cause and effect relationships between the defined constructs were studied by applying SEM methodology in each cluster identified, as well as the direct impact of the knowledge management constructs on the innovation performance construct. In all cases, knowledge workers have the greatest impact on innovation performance. There is also a strong correlation between knowledge workers and investment in internal knowledge management. Finally, the factors that hinder innovation activities are determined by the size of the companies. Further theoretical and empirical development will be required to provide comparison and feedback on the findings found over time and with a more inter-sectoral and intra-business focus. Organisations interested in improving both their innovative activity and their knowledge management, must be aware of the importance of knowledge workers, (key for internal R&D knowledge) and of the need for continuous training as the main tool for stimulating the continuous transmission and generation of knowledge. This is a new contribution to the patterns of behaviour with regard to innovation performance, complementing other sector studies carried out in Spain and elsewhere, and gives further proof of the positive effect of innovation knowledge management.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alavi, M., & Leidner, D. E. (2001). Review: knowledge management and knowledge management systems: conceptual foundations and research issues. MIS Q, 25(1), 107–136.
Aldenderfer, M., & Blashfield, R. (1984). Cluster analysis (Vol. 44). (S. U. Sciences, Ed.) Londres: Sage.
Alegre, J., & Chiva, R. (2008). Assessing the impact of organizational learning capability on product innovation: an empirical test. Technovation, 28(6), 315–326.
Alegre, J., Sengupta, K., & Lapiedra, R. (2013). Knowledge management and innovation performance in a high-tech SMEs industry. International Small Business Journal, 31(4), 454–470.
Argote, L. (1999). Organizational learning: creating, retaining, and transferring knowledge. Boston, M.A: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Bagozzi, R. P. (1988). On the evaluation of structural equation models. J Acad Mark Sci, 1(16), 74–94.
Beijerse, R. (1999). Questions in knowledge management: defining and conceptualizing a phenomenon. J Knowl Manag, 3(2), 94–110.
Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychol Bull, 107, 238–246.
Bizquerra, R. (1989). Métodos de Investigación Educativa. México: CEAC.
Cantner, U., Joel, K., & Schmidt, T. (2009). The use of knowledge management by German innovators. J Knowl Manag, 12(6), 187–203.
Carneiro, A. (2002). How does knowledge management influence innovation and competitiveness? J Knowl Manag, 4(2), 87–98.
Cohen, W., & Levinthal, D. (1990). Absorptive capacity: a new learning perspective on learning and innovation. Adm Sci Q, 35, 128–152.
Commission European. (2010). Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Brussels: COM/2010/2020 final.
COTEC. (2014). Informe COTEC 2013: Tecnología e Innovación en España. Madrid: Fundación COTEC para la Innovación Tecnológica.
Council European. (2000). Presidency conclusions of the Extraordinary Lisbon European Council of 23–24 March. Brussels: SN 100/1/00.
Daft, R. (1982). Bureaucratic versus non bureaucratic structure and the process of innovation and change. En S. Bacharach, Research in the Sociology of Organisations. Greenwich: JAI press.
Damanpour, F. (1991). Organizational innovation: a meta-analysis of effects of determinants and moderators. Academy of Management Journa, I, 555–590.
Darroch, J., & McNaughton, R. (2005). Examining the link between knowledge and management practices and types of innovation. J Intellect Cap, 3(3), 210.
Davenport, T., & Prusak, L. (1998). Working knowledge: how organizations manage what they know. Boston, M.A: Harvard Business Press.
Dendorf, J., & Chan, Y. (2011). Knowledge strategy typologies: defining dimensions and relationships. Knowl Manag Res Pract, 9(2), 102–119.
Dougherty, D. (1992). A practice-centered model of organizational renewal through product innovation. Strategic Management Journa, I, 13(51), 77–92.
Drucker, P. (1995). Managing in a time of great change. New York, N.Y: Truman, Talley.
Earl, L. (2003). Knowledge management practices survey in Canada 2002. N° 7.
Faggian, A., & McCann, P. (2009). Human capital, graduate migration and innovation in British regions. Camb J Econ, 33(2), 317–333.
Flick, U. (2009). An introduction to qualitative research (4th ed.). Londres: Sage Publications.
Gill, J., & Johnson, P. (2010). Research methods for managers (4th ed.). Londres: Sage Publications.
Githii, S. K. (2014). Knowledge management practices and innovation performance: a literature review. J Bus Manag, 16(2), 89–94.
Gloet, M., & Terziovski, M. (2004). Exploring the relationship between knowledge management practices and innovation performance. J Manuf Technol Manag, 15(5), 402–409.
Goffin, K., & Mitchell, R. (2005). Innovation management: strategy and implementation using the pentathlon framework (2nd ed.). New York, N.Y: Palgrave MacMillan.
Grant, R. (1996). Toward a knowledge-based theory of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, I, 17, 109–122.
Grant, R., & Baden-Fuller, C. (2004). A knowledge accessing theory of strategic alliances. J Manag Stud, 41(1), 61–79.
Hair, J. F. (1995). Multivariate data analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hall, R. (2006). A framework linking intangible resources and capabilities to sustainable competitive advantage. Strateg Manag J, 14(8), 607–618.
Hall, R., & Andriani, P. (2002). Managing knowledge innovation. Long Range Plan, 35, 29–48.
Henderson, R., & Cockburn, I. (1994). Measuring competence? Exploring firm effects in pharmaceutical research. Strateg Manag J, 15, 63–84.
Hu, L., & Bentler, P. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct Equ Model, 6(1), 1–55.
Huang, J., & Li, Y. (2009). The mediating effect of knowledge management on social interaction and innovation performance. Int J Manpow, 30(3), 285–301.
INE (Instituto Nacional de Estadística). (2012). Encuesta sobre Innovación en las Empresas 2010. Madrid: España.
Jöreskog, K. (1979). A general approach to confirmatory maximum likelhood factor analysis with addendum. In K. J. Sörbom (Ed.), Advances in factor analysis and structural equation model. Cambridge: Abt Books.
Knight, K. (1967). A descriptive model of the intra-firm innovation process. J Bus, 40(4), 478–496.
Leydesdorff, L. (2000). The triple helix: an evolutionary model of innovations. Res Policy, 29(2), 243–255.
Lin, R., Che, R., & Ting, C. (2012). Turning knowledge management into innovation in the high-tech industry. Ind Manag Data Syst, 112(1), 42–62.
Luengo-Valderrey, M. (2014). Repercusión de la triple hélix en resultados de innovación: mipymes de información y comunicación españolas. En R. Quijano, L. Argüelles, Sahuí, & J. (Comp.), Mipymes innovadoras: Evolucionando ante los nuevos retos (págs. 129–154). San Francisco de Campeches, México: Universidad Autónoma de Campeche.
Lundvall, B., & Borras, S. (1997). The globalising learning economy: Implications for innovation policy. Commission of the European Union: Report based on contributions from seven projects under the TSER programme DG XII.
Martin-de Castro, G. (2015). Knowledge management and innovation in knowledge-based and high-tech industrial markets: the role of openness and absorptive capacity. Ind Mark Manag, 47, 143–146.
McEvily, S., & Chakravarthy, B. (2002). The persistence of knowledge-based advantage: an empirical test for product performance and technological knowledge. Strategic Management Journa, I, 23(4), 285–305.
Navarro, M. (2002). La Cooperación para la Innovación de las Empresas Española desde una Perspectiva Internacional Comparada. Economía Industrial, I, 346, 47–66.
Navas, J., & Nieto, M. (2003). Estrategias de Innovación y Creación de Conocimiento Tecnológica en las empresas Industriales españolas. (J. Navas, & M. (. Nieto, Edits.) Madrid: Civitas.
Nonaka, I. (1994). A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. Organ Sci, 5(1), 14–37.
Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge creating company: how Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Nonaka, I., & Teece, D. (2001). Managing industrial knowledge: creation, transfer and utilization. London: Sage Publication.
OECD and Eurostat. (1997). Oslo manual—proposed guidelines for collecting and interpreting technological innovation data (2nd ed.). Paris: OECD.
OECD. (1996). The knowledge based economy. Paris: OECD.
OECD. (2005). The measurement of scientific and technological activities proposed guidelines for collecting and interpreting technological data. Oslo manual. Paris: OECD.
Page, A. (1990). Hacia un modelo causal del rendimiento académico. Madrid: CIDE.
Piatier, A. (1984). Barriers to innovation. London: Frances Pinter.
Plessis, M. (2007). The role of knowledge management in innovation. J Knowl Manag, 11(4), 20–29.
Romesburg, H. (1984). Factor analysis for researchers. Belmont, CA: Lifetime Learning Publications.
Ruiz, M., Pardo, A., & San Martin, R. (2010). Modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Papeles del Psicólogo, 31(1), 34–45.
Smith, K., Collins, C., & Clark, K. (2005). Existing knowledge, knowledge creation capability, and the rate of new product introduction in high-technology firms. Acad Manag J, 48(2), 346–357.
Swan, J., Newell, S., Scarbrough, H., & Hislop, D. (1999). Knowledge management and innovation: networks and networking. J Knowl Manag, 3(4), 262–275.
Tidd, J., Bessant, J., & Pavitt, K. (1997). Managing innovation – integrating technological, market and organizational change (2nd ed.). New York, N.Y: Wiley.
Tin, L. (2005). Measuring innovation performance. Recuperado el 10 de 11 de 2015, de https://www.nlb.gov.sg/Portals/0/Docs/Research/InnovationPerformance.pdf
Weelwright, S., & Clarck, K. (1992). Revolutionizing product development—quantum leaps in speed, efficiency, and quality. New York; N.Y: The Free Press.
Williams, L., Cote, J., & Buckley, M. R. (1989). Lack of method variance in self-reported affect and perceptions at work: reality or artefact? J Appl Psychol, 74(3), 462–468.
Zack, M. (1999). Managing codified knowledge. Sloan Management Review, Summer, 45–48.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Luengo-Valderrey, M.J., Moso-Díez, M. Interaction Between Knowledge Management Activities, Innovation Barriers and Innovation Performance: Spanish High and Medium Technology Firms. J Knowl Econ 10, 298–317 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-017-0458-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-017-0458-0