The Relationships between Technological Support, Incentives, Knowledge Sharing and Product Innovation in the Iraqi Textile Industry

Abstract

This study addresses the lack of evidence from previous studies on the relationships between technological support, incentives, and product innovation, and whether knowledge sharing has a mediating effect on these relationships particularly in the Iraqi textile industry. Based on the survey among 351 employees in the Iraqi textile industry, the present study empirically tested the hypotheses using structural equation modelling. The results show that technological support and incentives positively and significantly influence knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing was also found to be an important mediator between technological support and incentives with product innovation. The findings bear implications to the Iraqi government’s call for innovation in the Iraqi textile industry.