Title: The role of knowledge sharing approaches to help internal knowledge sources to create firm innovation

Authors: Kimseng Tieng; Chawalit Jeenanunta; Wan-Lin Hsieh

Addresses: School of Management Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, 131 M. 5 Tiwanont Rd. Bangkadi, Muang, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand ' School of Management Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, 131 M. 5 Tiwanont Rd. Bangkadi, Muang, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Enterprise Information, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Section 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun, Taichung, 407, Taiwan

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to empirically investigate the important role of knowledge sharing approaches (KSAs) as mediators between internal knowledge sources (IKSs) and Firm Innovation. There are 111 surveys collected from presidents, owners, directors, managers, and chief executive officers of Thai manufacturing firms in 2016. Results indicate that, first, the documentation helps the source of knowledge such as middle manager in-charge, line group manager, and R&D personnel to transform into the firm process innovation. Second, the documentation and group discussion mediate the R&D personnel to create firm product innovation. Thus, the documentation and group discussion are critically important to mediate the ideas from the source of knowledge to become the innovation.

Keywords: product innovation; process innovation; KSAs; knowledge sharing approaches; IKSs; internal knowledge sources; mediator; ideas initiator; group discussion; on-the-job-training; documentation; informal circle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2019.099129

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2019 Vol.10 No.2, pp.157 - 174

Received: 13 Mar 2018
Accepted: 13 Mar 2018
Published online: 16 Apr 2019 *

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