Knowledge Integration Capability Research Articles

Longitudinal impact of interactive science activities: Developing, implementing, and validating a graphing integration inventory

AbstractIntegrating sophisticated graphical analysis skills as they learn science is essential for K‐12 students and emphasized in current standards. In this study, we iteratively designed a Graphing Integration Inventory (GII) over a three‐year period, while also supporting students to develop their capabilities to use graphs to learn science content in complex ways through interactive curriculum materials implemented on a novel technology enhanced curriculum platform. We applied the Knowledge Integration framework to design the curriculum, the assessments, and the rubrics for scoring student explanations. The framework delineates ways to promote links among graphs and science ideas. The rubrics award students higher scores on their explanations based on the level of complexity of their connections between science concepts and, in this research, graphs. The GII and the aligned curriculum were implemented by over 300 middle school students (Grades 6–8) across a 3‐year period. We investigated the impact of the designed curriculum on the integration of graphing and science while also studying the psychometric properties of the GII to validate it for use in future studies. Findings suggest both that the curriculum used to support these students improved their Knowledge Integration capabilities significantly and that the GII instrument is suitable for use with populations across gender and native English language status demographics in Grades 6–8. Implications are discussed around using graphs to learn complex science ideas, as well as the affordances of technology enhanced platforms to support this type of learning and assessment.

A Typology of Integrative Capabilities for Service Innovation: A Demand-Based Perspective

Knowledge integration capabilities are an important element of innovation and firm performance. Despite growing use of this construct, the study of knowledge integration capabilities effectively remains limited because the demand-side perspective has received disproportionately less conceptual or empirical scrutiny when compared to the supply-side perspective. We attempt to address this deficiency by highlighting the critical role customer heterogeneity plays in shaping knowledge integration capabilities important to innovation-based firm performance. Using service industries as the empirical context, this study is guided by the following research question: How does customer heterogeneity affect service innovation-related knowledge integration capabilities? We adopt the dynamic capabilities view and within that contribute to an emerging discourse to identify integrative capabilities at the meso- level (Salvato & Vassolo, 2017), defining these as a firm’s capacity to engender productive interpersonal dialogue among employees to combine knowledge within and across the operational boundaries of a firm. We triangulate data collected from semi-structured interviews, publicly available sources and scholarly publications to propose a typology of integrative capabilities applicable to heterogeneous environments.

Interorganizational learning, green knowledge integration capability and green innovation

PurposeAlthough interorganizational learning has attracted substantial attention, research about its effects on green innovation is still rare. Combining theories of organizational learning and absorptive capacity, this study explores the relationships among interorganizational learning, green knowledge integration capability (GKIC) and green innovation (GI), and analyzes the moderating role of green absorptive capacity (GAC). Based on resource-based and ambidexterity theories, this study focuses on vertical exploitative (VEL) and lateral explorative learning (LEL). This study expands the research of GI by proposing two different interorganizational learning mechanisms and uncovering the intricate relationship between them and GI.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 203 Chinese manufacturing firms, the authors used a hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrap method to test the theoretical framework and research hypotheses of this paper.FindingsResults show that VEL and LEL have positive effects on GI. GKIC partially mediates the relationship between VEL and GI and completely mediates the relationship between LEL and GI. Moreover, GAC plays a moderating role between LEL and GKIC and moderates the effect of LEL on GI via GKIC, such that the effect is stronger when GAC increases. However, it does not moderate the relationship between VEL and GKIC.Originality/valueFirst, founded on resource-based and ambidexterity theories, this study considers two dimensions of interorganizational learning, VEL and LEL. Second, by testing the mediating role of GKIC, the authors provide a theoretical lens to understand the relationship between interorganizational learning and GI. Third, by examining boundary conditions of GAC, the authors enrich organizational learning and absorptive capacity theory in the context of green development.

Organizational unlearning and knowledge transfer in cross-border M&As: the mediating role of knowledge integration from a routine-based view

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationships between organizational unlearning and knowledge transfer in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) from a routine-based view. The study also stresses the mediating role that knowledge integration capability plays in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachIn all, 178 samples were collected from Chinese multinational corporations that experienced cross-border M&As. In addition, the bootstrap method was used to test the mediating role of knowledge integration capability.FindingsThe empirical results indicate that knowledge integration capability is the crucial link between organizational unlearning and knowledge transfer. Specifically, this capability goes beyond the direct effect of organizational unlearning on knowledge transfer and points to the importance of enhancing knowledge integration capability. In turn, knowledge integration capability has a significant influence on knowledge transfer. The study finds that knowledge integration capability mediates the relationship between organizational unlearning and knowledge transfer.Originality/valueThis study adopts a routine-based view to develop a theoretical model for examining the relationship between organizational unlearning, knowledge integration capability and knowledge transfer in the context of cross-border M&As. This model provides new insights for a routine-based understanding of the important mediating role of knowledge integration capability for knowledge transfer and the effects of this role on the specific knowledge transfer, i.e. technological, marketing and managerial knowledge.

The causal factors influencing corporate sustainability performance: case of community SMEs in three southern border provinces, Thailand

The business sector has started to understand and follow business management that creates a balance between economy, society, and environment for the strength, stability, and sustainability of the business and society as a whole. However, the matter remains a challenge for many organizations, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) businesses. This research aims 1) to analyze the direct influence of entrepreneurial orientation on the corporate sustainability performance of community enterprises in the three southern border provinces and 2) to analyze the indirect influence of entrepreneurial orientation on corporate sustainability performance through the mediator variable which is knowledge integration capability of community enterprises in the three southern border provinces. This research uses an organizational level analysis unit and uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on data collection via questionnaires of 384 community enterprises in three southern border provinces. The sampling was done by multi-stages level and stratified sampling using proportions and specific selection. The results of the research showed that the results of the consistency of the structural equation modeling of the cause and effect factors affecting the corporate sustainability performance of community enterprises of three southern border provinces, consistent with the empirical data at a good level. The entrepreneurial orientation had a direct effect on knowledge integration capability with the highest influence coefficient. In addition, the entrepreneurial orientation had an indirect influence on corporate sustainability performance through knowledge integration capability.

Promoting synergistic innovation in logistics service outsourcing

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore what is synergistic innovation in the logistics service outsourcing context and how this strategy can potentially benefit an organization by improving performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA total of 21 in-depth interviews were conducted to conceptualize the construct of synergistic innovation. In addition, a theory-based model is tested using data collected from 282 Chinese manufacturing firms that are currently engaged in logistics service outsourcing.FindingsThe results from the in-depth interviews reveal that synergistic innovation goes beyond just interactions on innovation but requires both parties to achieve synergies that otherwise cannot be achieved by individual party alone. In addition, the empirical analysis suggests that synergistic innovation can help firms improve both logistics service performance and market performance. This process is dynamic as knowledge integration capability influences the outcomes of synergistic innovation.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to conceptualize synergistic innovation. It also offers a practical scale that helps future studies effectively measure this construct. Moreover, the results of this study provide compelling insights into how managers can use logistics service outsourcing as an important source for improving innovation outcomes.

Knowledge integration capability and entrepreneurial orientation: case of Pakthongchai Silk Groups Residing

This qualitative research aimed to study 1) knowledge integration capability and 2) knowledge integration capability that demonstrated the entrepreneurial orientation within the silk groups in Pakthonghai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Supporting research data was collected from in-depth interviews of six silk group leaders and members (out of eleven identified groups). A content analysis method was used for data evaluation in order to find evidence-based inferences, identify causal relationships, and investigate the correlations. According to the result, the silk groups’ knowledge integration capability was built upon the following three perspectives: learning culture, knowledge management capability and information technology skill. 1) Learning Culture derived from the groups’ determination to produce and maintain high quality standards in their silk products while making use of knowledge learned from customers, competitors, governments, and previously experienced business problems. 2) Knowledge management capability described the ability to retain knowledge inherited from previous generations and exchange information among group members during training and practice. Once the new set of knowledge was created by a member, it was then relayed to other group members and used to develop their silk products according to the market demand. 3) Information technology had been used by Pakthongchai silk groups to manage their silk production knowledge. These established elements had assisted them in obtaining an outstanding entrepreneurial skills.

How do ventures become more innovative? The effect of external search and ambidextrous knowledge integration

PurposeNew ventures search for external knowledge to break through the prevailing knowledge and resource constraints. The influence of search mechanisms can be assessed against the backdrop of internal factors such as the venture’s knowledge integration (KI) capability. The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of knowledge search depth (KSD) and knowledge search breadth (KSB) on innovation outcomes and asks to what extent such effects are mediated by levels of KI.Design/methodology/approachThe authors distinguish between the current depth and width of the firm’s knowledge base as to detect their possible moderating effects. The authors test the model using data collected from 167 Chinese start-ups.FindingsThe results show that KSB has a positive effect on KI and innovation performance, but KSD has an inverted U-shaped effect on KI and innovation performance. KI plays a mediating role between external knowledge search and innovation performance, while the breadth of the venture’s knowledge base positively moderates the relationship between explorative KI and innovation performance, and the depth of knowledge base positively moderates the relationship between exploitive KI and innovation performance.Originality/valueThese results differ from earlier research focusing on mature enterprises.

The central role of knowledge integration capability in service innovation-based competitive strategy

This study examines how B2B service firms organize and manage knowledge in order to deliver new value adding solutions and in turn competitive advantage, addressing calls for research into this important, yet neglected area. Specifically, this study: (1) examines the role of the antecedents of knowledge integration capability (KIC) in service innovation-led competitive advantage in project-oriented B2B service firms; and (2) models and empirically tests the links between KIC and service innovation, and in turn sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). Findings from our research of Australian and US project-oriented firms support our central theorization that the new knowledge acquired through external and internal sources per se is not sufficient, but should be integrated with existing knowledge in order to deliver innovative service solutions addressing clients' needs. Results from testing non-linear effects of new knowledge configurations on service innovation provide deeper insights into the suggested relationship. Our research contributes to calls for comprehensive frameworks of service innovation-led competitive advantage. We provide theoretical and managerial implications, and suggest areas for future research.

A critical view of knowledge networks and innovation performance: The mediation role of firms' knowledge integration capability

Employing knowledge-based theory, this study builds upon social network theory and investigates the influence of knowledge networks on firms' innovation performance. This study incorporates the structural view of social networks and interorganizational interactions to develop the dimensions of knowledge networks, as well as to demonstrate the effects of firms' knowledge integration capability between knowledge networks and innovation performance. Investigating high-tech firms in Taiwan science parks, this study employs the social network research method to establish the boundaries of knowledge networks. The results show that each dimension of knowledge networks improves firms' innovation performance, and that firms' knowledge integration capability has a fully mediating effect on the relationship between knowledge cognition and innovation performance, but only a partial mediating effect on the relationships among firms' network centrality, knowledge heterogeneity, and innovation performance. Consequently, this study provides suggestions and comments for firms on how to engage in inter-organizational cooperative relationships.

The relationship between knowledge sharing capability and innovation performance within industrial clusters

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to clarify the influence of knowledge sharing on innovation performance from the knowledge-based dynamic capabilities perspective within industrial clusters.Design/methodology/approachThis paper designed a five-point Likert questionnaire measuring knowledge sharing, dynamic capabilities, trust and innovation performance, and a sample was collected from the industrial clusters within Fujian province in China. Empirical analysis was applied to test the hypotheses.FindingsSignificant relationships were found between knowledge sharing and innovation performance. Three key characteristics of dynamic capabilities were distinguished, namely, knowledge acquisition capability, knowledge integration capability and knowledge creative capabilities. On this basis, further analysis found that dynamic capabilities played a mediating role in this relationship, and trust was a significant moderator.Practical implicationsThis paper helps to understand the mechanism between knowledge sharing, knowledge-based dynamic capabilities, trust and innovation. Managers should focus on contributing to knowledge sharing activities, dynamic capabilities and trustful environment to improve innovation effectively.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the burgeoning literature on the relationship between knowledge sharing and innovation performance in China. Further, it highlights the crucial role of cluster knowledge management in contributing to innovation and management practices.

Inter-Team Coordination, Knowledge Sharing, and Performance in Teams

Organizational teams are increasingly engaging in inter-team coordination activity. In spite of consistent findings revealed by previous research that inter-team coordination could benefit team performance by bringing teams with critical information and resources, few studies investigate how, when and why teams make use of the obtained knowledge-based resources. To address this issue, we integrate resource-based theory (RBT) and inter-team coordination literature to develop a knowledge-based theoretical model. With two-wave survey data from a sample of 80 teams in two power companies, we found that team knowledge sharing played a mediating role in the link between inter-team coordination and team performance, and knowledge integration capability moderated this relationship such that the indirect of inter-team coordination via team knowledge sharing on team performance was stronger when knowledge integration capability was high. Theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed.

How Bad Times Make Good Men: The Influence of Dynamic Team Environment on Venture Team Innovation

Many previous research has only emphasized that the dynamic team environment can evoke team innovation through strategic and organizational adaptive behavior from a macro perspective. However, it remains unclear whether venture teams will and how they will react to dynamic team environment and innovate through team processes from the micro perspective. This study applies uncertainty reduction theory from social psychology to examine the effect of dynamic team environment on venture team innovation. By analyzing a sample of 270 venture teams in China, we obtained support for the multistep indirect effect of dynamic team environment on team innovation via agreement seeking behavior and team knowledge integration capability. In addition, team centralization of decision-making weakens the relationship between agreement seeking behavior and team knowledge integration capability. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of venture teams reactions to dynamic environment and the micro multistep mechanism that transfers the power of dynamic environment to team innovation.

The Development and Application of Transaction Cost Economics in Taiwan

Abstract. This study collected 89 papers related to transaction cost theory published between 1992 and 2013 from 19 journals in the Taiwan Social Sciences Citation Index database, and used bibliometrics and network analysis to examine the theory’s applications and development. The results show that the theory has mostly been applied in studies on technology management, transaction information, stocks/foreign exchange/investment, business transfers, strategies, opportunistic behaviors, performance, theoretical integration, human resources, relations, knowledge management, and consumer behaviors. Of these topics, strategies had the most samples; followed by stocks/foreign exchange/investment, which accounted for 19.10% of the total; followed by relations, with 17.98%; and technology management, with 11.24%. The greatest numbers of publications were observed in 1997 and 2007. Connections between the authors appeared to be weak and cross-referencing was rare. Apparently, more time is required for the formation of a research community with strong coherence and knowledge integration capabilities. Keywords. Bibliometrics, Network analysis, Transaction cost theory. JEL. M10, L33, L52.

The Process, Capability and Mechanism of Knowledge Integration

Knowledge integration is the ability for firms to analyze, integrate and reconstruct existing knowledge, external technology and customer knowledge through systematic and social mechanisms. Dominant research mainly examines the process, capability and mechanism of knowledge integration. Knowledge integration process includes knowledge mining, knowledge transfer and knowledge fusion. Knowledge integration capability can be measured by systematic ability, cooperation ability and socialization ability. Knowledge integration mechanism includes such four mechanisms as rules and instructions, sorting, organizational routine, team problem-solving and decision-making.

Knowledge integration in manufacturing technology development

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze knowledge integration in manufacturing technology development projects required to build competitive advantages.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal case study has been conducted at a Swedish manufacturing company by following a manufacturing technology development project in real time during a two-year period.FindingsThe results show that three different knowledge integration processes exist when developing unique manufacturing technology: processes for capturing, for joint learning, and for absorb learning. The findings of the current research suggest that the three knowledge integration processes are highly interrelated with each knowledge integration process affecting the other two.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of the research is primarily associated with the single case, which limits generalizability outside the context that was studied.Practical implicationsThe findings are particularly relevant to manufacturing engineers working with the development of new manufacturing technologies. By using relevant knowledge integration processes and capabilities required to integrate the knowledge in manufacturing technology development projects, companies can improve design and organize the development of manufacturing technology.Originality/valuePrevious research has merely noted that knowledge integration is required in the development of unique manufacturing technology, but without explaining how and in what way. This paper’s contribution is the identification and analysis of three knowledge integration processes that contribute to the building of competitive advantages by developing unique manufacturing technology and new knowledge.

Knowledge integration mechanisms in high-technology business-to-business services vendors

Employing a multidisciplinary approach this paper addresses an important area of how born global high-technology firms develop knowledge integration capability through their internal and external networks. Knowledge integration is noted as a critical capability in the innovation process. Our exploratory study contributes by: presenting evidence from India’s high-technology IT/BPO offshore outsourcing business-to-business (B2B) vendors; adding to the theoretical body of knowledge by identifying the three critical operational routines of learning, market and quality orientations that are critical in developing knowledge integration capability and supporting innovation processes; and develops a theoretical framework for future researchers to test it through survey designs. We conclude by identifying future research and managerial implications for firms operating in such milieus.

Linking Quality Management Practices and Effective Knowledge Integration to New Product Development (NPD): An Empirical Study of Saudi-firms

This paper investigates the effects of some quality management practices (cross functional teamwork, employee participation, and reward & recognition) and effective knowledge integration on new product development (NPD). Building upon the knowledge-based view of the firm, this paper argues that cross-functional teamwork, employee participation and reward & recognition are three knowledge generation practices that contribute to enhance the performance of the knowledge integration capability. Knowledge integration, in turn, leads to successful new product development. This research employs structural equation modeling to empirically examine the impacts of some quality management practices on new product development, mediated by knowledge integration, using a survey data collected from 167 Saudi firms which are listed at Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul). The findings suggest that the capability of producing new products and / or services in the Saudi firms is positively affected by the cross-functional teamwork, employee participation and reward & recognition. It is also revealed that these three practices are drivers for integration knowledge in the firms.

"A Moderated-Mediation Model of Team Reflexivity, Conscientiousness and Performance"

We propose a moderated-mediation model of team performance where team reflexivity creates team knowledge integration capability, a dynamic capability moderated by the team conscientiousness. Data w...

Centralizing content and distributing labor: a community model for curating the very long tail of microbial genomes.

The last 20 years of advancement in sequencing technologies have led to sequencing thousands of microbial genomes, creating mountains of genetic data. While efficiency in generating the data improves almost daily, applying meaningful relationships between taxonomic and genetic entities on this scale requires a structured and integrative approach. Currently, knowledge is distributed across a fragmented landscape of resources from government-funded institutions such as National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and UniProt to topic-focused databases like the ODB3 database of prokaryotic operons, to the supplemental table of a primary publication. A major drawback to large scale, expert-curated databases is the expense of maintaining and extending them over time. No entity apart from a major institution with stable long-term funding can consider this, and their scope is limited considering the magnitude of microbial data being generated daily. Wikidata is an openly editable, semantic web compatible framework for knowledge representation. It is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation and offers knowledge integration capabilities ideally suited to the challenge of representing the exploding body of information about microbial genomics. We are developing a microbial specific data model, based on Wikidata’s semantic web compatibility, which represents bacterial species, strains and the gene and gene products that define them. Currently, we have loaded 43 694 gene and 37 966 protein items for 21 species of bacteria, including the human pathogenic bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Using this pathogen as an example, we explore complex interactions between the pathogen, its host, associated genes, other microbes, disease and drugs using the Wikidata SPARQL endpoint. In our next phase of development, we will add another 99 bacterial genomes and their gene and gene products, totaling ∼900,000 additional entities. This aggregation of knowledge will be a platform for community-driven collaboration, allowing the networking of microbial genetic data through the sharing of knowledge by both the data and domain expert.