Title: Learning and knowledge creation in product development: a LISREL analysis

Authors: Qingyu Zhang, Jeen-Su Lim, Mei Cao

Addresses: Department of Economics and Decision Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR 72401, USA. ' Department of Marketing, College of Business Administration, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA. ' Department of Information Systems and E-Commerce, College of Business Administration, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA

Abstract: In order to measure the extent to which the organisation learns and accumulates knowledge in product development, the construct ||Learning And Knowledge Creation|| (LAKC) in product development was put into operation based on Nonaka and Takeuchi|s (1995) knowledge creation theory. A national survey gathered data from 239 top managers regarding learning and knowledge activities in product development. A LISREL analysis revealed that LAKC may be conceptualised in terms of four dimensions that satisfy key measurement criteria including unidimensionality and convergent validity, discriminant validity, predictive validity, and reliability. The four dimensions form the basis or index of learning activities, which can be used to evaluate and manage firm|s innovation learning activities or to act as independent/dependent variables in empirical research.

Keywords: structural equation models; product development; knowledge creation; learning; empirical research; organisational learning; innovation management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2004.004893

International Journal of Product Development, 2004 Vol.1 No.1, pp.107 - 129

Published online: 14 Jul 2004 *

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