The Mediating Effect of Knowledge Internalization on the Relationship Between Dual Learning Behaviors and Technological Innovation Performance in the Hightech Enterprises

Abstract

High-tech companies promote the internalization of knowledge by inducing advanced technology from the outside and independent research. This is a tool, used by enterprises, to promote technological innovation and development as well as new product research to enhance their innovation performance. Empirical evidence from the large and medium-sized high-tech enterprises in China shows that both the exploration and the exploitation of learning activities positively affect the enterprise’s technological innovation. The exploitation fits to Chinese large and medium-sized high-tech firms even better. Checking for the knowledge internalization, we found that it had a partial mediating role in the relationship between the firm’s learning behaviors and technological innovation performance, hence, it is believed to improve the performance of the company’s technological innovation. The results can be used as useful reference by the firms to carry out learning activities and enhance knowledge internalization in order to promote their technological innovation performance. The paper contributes to the literature on learning behavior, knowledge management and technological innovation performance and has implications for further study and research.