The evolution of knowledge sharing and innovation: exploring epistemological reflections

Abstract

This article comprehensively explores the historical roots of the association between knowledge sharing and innovation within organisations, tracing its theoretical evolution since 1973. The methodology employed in this study involved a meticulous examination of knowledge-related concepts in philosophy and management, establishing connections between these fields, identifying significant themes prevalent during different periods, and tracking the evolution of epistemological perspectives in the literature that connect these constructs. This investigation identified four distinct theoretical stages in the literature's development: embryonic, emergent, young growth, and accelerated growth. During the life cycle of this research area, it was observed that the study of knowledge sharing and innovation has transitioned from a primarily technological approach to a focus on knowledge networks in the young growth stage and eventually to an emphasis on the acquisition process in the more accelerated growth stage. However, the notions of maturity and saturation do not accurately apply to the current state of the art, as the number of articles published on this topic has experienced exponential growth since 2000. Seminal papers in this field highlight the significance of dialogue as the primary instrument for transforming knowledge into innovation and establish that innovation is contingent upon knowledge sharing. Hence, organisations that foster a knowledge-sharing culture facilitate the development of their innovation capabilities. From an epistemological standpoint, authors in the knowledge management realm engage with various philosophical currents, ranging from Plato’s rationalism to Polanyi’s ideas, encompassing the empiricism of Bacon and Locke, and exploring the dialectic of Hegel.