Linking knowledge management processes to innovation: A mixed-method and cross-national approach
ISSN: 2040-8269
Article publication date: 9 October 2019
Issue publication date: 12 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the relationship between knowledge management processes and innovation (KM-IN) in Brazilian and Portuguese companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The tests were performed using a sequential mixed-method approach. Quantitative analysis was conducted using 341 observations from Brazilian and Portuguese companies and partial least squares techniques. Qualitative analysis was conducted using ten interviews and content analysis techniques.
Findings
Results showed differences between Brazilian and Portuguese companies with respect to the relationship between knowledge sharing process and innovation. Portuguese companies cope with the geographical dispersal of operations and the lack of interpersonal skills by introducing formal knowledge sharing processes.
Practical implications
Findings demonstrate that the transfer of knowledge processes to foreign countries may demand adjustments according to cultural traits. Specifically, the findings will be of interest to firms intending to expand their activities between Brazil and Portugal.
Originality/value
Although researchers have investigated the influence of the national context in many countries, country comparisons are still scarce.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the support provided by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES – Brazil – finance code 001), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (Brazil) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal, project UID/SOC/04521/2013).
Citation
Teixeira, E.K., Oliveira, M. and Curado, C. (2020), "Linking knowledge management processes to innovation: A mixed-method and cross-national approach", Management Research Review, Vol. 43 No. 3, pp. 332-349. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-10-2018-0391
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited