Organisational Learning and Knowledge Management: A Prospective Analysis Based on the Levels of Consciousness
In this chapter, we analyse the concepts of organizational learning and knowledge management by relating them to the levels of human and organizational consciousness. In doing so, we understand the existence of different conceptualizations of both organizational learning and knowledge management, and relate them to several organizational models and levels of organizational learning. The learning organization model is related to the highest level of consciousness and to the highest level of learning: triple-loop learning. We associate this with an organizational learning perspective that stresses the importance of mindfulness, mindful learning, and with a knowledge management perspective tha…
Knowledge management and innovation performance in a high-tech SMEs industry
This article examines how knowledge management (KM) affects innovation performance within biotechnology firms. This is an industry in which small- and medium-sized biotech enterprises live together with the biotech divisions of large pharmaceutical firms. We conceptualize KM as a set of practices and dynamic capabilities, and hypothesize that KM dynamic capabilities act as a mediating variable between KM practices and innovation performance. We use structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses on a data set from the biotechnology industry. The results support our conceptualization and demonstrate its utility in explaining differences in innovation performance across firms. Findings …
The importance of management innovation and consultant services on ERP implementation success
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation has been an important activity for improving efficiency. However, an ERP system is a critical investment that can significantly affect future performance of a company. Many ERP projects report an unusually high failure rate. This study empirically investigates the involvement of management consultants in ERP implementation success. The results from our field survey of 134 ERP end-users in Spanish ceramic tile companies show that ERP implementation success significantly depends on the quality of consultant services. The results also indicate the importance of internal management throughout the learning process. Overall, these findings contrib…
A measurement scale for product innovation performance
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the results of a study aimed at conceptualising and developing valid measurements for two key dimensions of product innovation performance‐efficacy and efficiency – in the context of firm competition.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from French biotechnology firms. Using structural equations modeling, the constructs’ measurement models were tested and the scale was validated.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that the operational measures developed here satisfy the criteria for unidimensionality, reliability, and validity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to innovation management research by providing a…
Measuring organisational learning capability among the workforce
PurposeThe present study sets out to propose and validate a measurement scale that aims to capture the organisational capability to learn, based on a comprehensive analysis of the facilitating factors for learning. The organisational learning capability scale consists of 14 items grouped into five dimensions: experimentation, risk taking, interaction with the external environment, dialogue, and participative decision making.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from eight Spanish ceramic tile manufacturers. The survey was addressed to shop floor workers. A total of 157 valid questionnaires were obtained, representing a response rate of 61 per cent. Using confirmatory factor analysi…
Measuring innovation in long product development cycle industries: an insight in biotechnology
This paper examines and measures innovation in the context of biotechnology firms by analysing the link between R&D, innovation performance and organisational growth. We conceptualise innovation performance as a latent construct with two dimensions: innovation efficacy and innovation efficiency. We use structural equations modelling to test the hypotheses on a data set from the biotechnology industry. Results support our innovation performance conceptualisation which is found to be especially useful to measure innovation in industries with long product development cycles. Findings also underline the importance of R&D knowledge creation for biotechnology firms.