Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Web knowledge sharing and its effect on innovation: an empirical investigation in SMEs

  • Article
  • Published:
Knowledge Management Research & Practice

Abstract

This paper extends previous studies on knowledge management by analysing factors affecting Web Knowledge Sharing (WKS) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition, the impact of WKS on organizational innovation and the moderating effect of IT skills on this relation are analysed. Grounded in the technology-organization-environment (TOE) theory and the resource-based view (RBV), this paper develops an integrative research model, which analyses these relations using structural equation modelling on a data set of 535 Spanish SMEs. Results suggest that technological and organizational factors – IT expertise and commitment-based human resources practices – positively influence WKS, while the contrary is found for environmental factors (customer power). In addition, results show that WKS contributes positively to organizational innovation, though support for the moderating effect of IT skills in this relation is not found. The main conclusions of this research can be valuable to SMEs that use or intend to use Internet technologies for knowledge management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamides ED and Karacapilidis N (2006) Information technology support for the knowledge and social processes of innovation management. Technovation 26 (1), 50–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavi M and Leidner DE (2001) Review: knowledge management and knowledge management systems: conceptual foundations and research issues. MIS Quarterly 25 (1), 107–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson NR, De Dreu C and Nijstad BA (2004) The routinization of innovation research: a constructively critical review of the state-of-the-science. Journal of Organizational Behavior 25 (2), 147–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi RP and Yi Y (1998) On evaluation of structural equation models. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 16 (1), 74–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barney JB (1991) Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management 7 (1), 99–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj AS (2000) A resource-based perspective on information technology capability and firm performance: an empirical investigation. MIS Quarterly 24 (1), 169–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt GD and Grover V (2005) Types of information technology capabilities and their role in competitive advantage: an empirical study. Journal of Management Information Systems 22 (2), 253–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt GD, Gupta JND and Kitchens F (2005) An exploratory study of groupware use in the knowledge management process. Journal of Enterprise Information Management 8 (1), 28–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bordonaba-Juste V, Lucia-Palacios L and Polo-Redondo Y (2012) Antecedents and consequences of e-business use for European retailers. Internet Research 22 (5), 532–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brynjolfsson E and Hitt L (2000) Beyond computation: information technology, organizational transformation and business performance. Journal of Economic Perspectives 14 (4), 23–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capon N, Farley JU, Hulbert J and Lehmann DR (1992) Profiles of product innovators among large U.S. manufacturers. Management Science 38 (2), 157–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan FTS, Chong AY-L and Zhou L (2012) An empirical investigation of factors affecting e-collaboration diffusion in SMEs. International Journal of Production Economics 138 (2), 329–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang Y-Y and Hughes M (2012) Drivers of innovation ambidexterity in small-to medium-sized firms. European Management Journal 30 (1), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong AYL, Ooi KB, Lin B and Tang SY (2009) Influence of interorganizational relationships on SMEs’ e-business adoption. Internet Research 19 (3), 313–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choy CS, Yew WK and Lin B (2006) Criteria for measuring KM performance outcomes in organisations. Industrial Management & Data Systems 106 (7), 917–936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Churchill GA (1979) A paradigm for developing better measures of marketing constructs. Journal of Marketing Research 16 (1), 64–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins CJ and Smith KG (2006) Knowledge exchange and combination: the role of human resource practices in the performance of high-technology firms. Academy of Management Journal 49 (3), 544–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colomo-Palacios R, Casado-Lumbreras C, Soto-Acosta P, Misra S and García-Peñalvo FJ (2012) Analyzing human resource management practices within the GSD context. Journal of Global Information Technology Management 15 (3), 30–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colomo-Palacios R, Soto-Acosta P, Ramayah T and Russ M (2013) Electronic Markets and the future Internet: from clouds to semantics. Electronic Markets: The International Journal on Networked Business 23 (2), 89–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darroch J (2003) Developing a measure of knowledge management behaviors and practices. Journal of Knowledge Management 7 (5), 41–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darroch J (2005) Knowledge management, innovation and firm performance. Journal of Knowledge Management 9 (3), 101–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Aguila-Obra A and Padilla-Melendez A (2008) Organizational factors affecting Internet technology adoption. Internet Research 16 (1), 94–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delery JE and Doty DH (1996) Modes of theorizing in strategic human resource management: test of universalistic, contingency, and configurational performance predictions. Academy of Management Journal 39 (4), 802–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devaraj S and Kohli R (2003) Performance impacts of information technology: is actual usage the missing link? Management Science 49 (3), 273–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2004) The Observatory of European SMEs 2003.

  • Fornell C and Larcker FD (1981) Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research 18 (1), 39–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox S (2000) Communities of practice, Foucault and actor-network theory. Journal of Management Studies 37 (6), 853–867.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin A and Hauser JR (1996) Integrating R&D and marketing: a review and analysis of the literature. Journal of Product Innovation Management 13 (3), 191–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu VC, Cao Q and Duan W (2012) Unified modeling language (UML) IT adoption – a holistic model of organizational capabilities perspective. Decision Support Systems 54 (1), 257–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong W and Zhu K (2006) Migrating to Internet-based e-commerce: factors affecting e-commerce adoption and migration at the firm level. Information & Management 43 (2), 204–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoopes DG, Madsen TL and Walker G (2003) Guest editors’ introduction to the special issue: why is there a resource-based view? Toward a theory of competitive heterogeneity. Strategic Management Journal 24 (10), 889–902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • INE (2012) Directorio central de empresas (DIRCE). Empresas por estrato de asalariados y condición jurídica.

  • Jayasingam S, Ansari MA, Ramayah T and Jantan M (2013) Knowledge management practices and performance: are they truly linked? Knowledge Management Research & Practice 11 (3), 255–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler EH (2003) Leveraging e-R&D processes: a knowledge-based view. Technovation 23 (12), 905–915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettinger WJ, Grover V, Guha S and Segars AH (1994) Strategic information systems revisited: a study in sustainability and performance. MIS Quarterly 18 (1), 31–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuan KY and Chau YK (2001) A perception-based model for EDI adoption in small businesses using a technology–organization–environment framework. Information & Management 38 (1), 507–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee H and Choi B (2003) Knowledge management enablers, processes, and organizational performance: an integrative view and empirical examination. Journal of Management Information Systems 20 (1), 179–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lockett A, Thompson S and Morgenstern U (2009) The development of the resource-based view of the firm: a critical appraisal. International Journal of Management Reviews 11 (1), 9–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López-Nicolás C and Meroño-Cerdán AL (2011) Strategic knowledge management, innovation and performance. International Journal of Information Management 31 (6), 502–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Nicolas C and Soto-Acosta P (2010) Analyzing ICT adoption and use effects on knowledge creation: an empirical investigation in SMEs. International Journal of Information Management 30 (6), 521–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucio-Nieto T, Colomo-Palacios R, Soto-Acosta, Popa S and Amescua-Seco A (2012) Implementing an IT service information management framework: the case of COTEMAR. International Journal of Information Management 32 (6), 589–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney JT and Pandian JR (1992) The resource-based view of the firm within the conversation of strategic management. Strategic Management Journal 13 (5), 363–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mata FJ, Fuerst WL and Barney JB (1995) Information technology and sustained competitive advantage: a resource-based analysis. MIS Quarterly 19 (4), 487–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meroño-Cerdán A, Soto-Acosta P and López-Nicolás C (2008a) Analyzing collaborative technologies’ effect on performance through intranet use orientations. Journal of Enterprise Information Management 21 (1), 39–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meroño-Cerdán A, Soto-Acosta P and López-Nicolás C. (2008b) How do collaborative technologies affect innovation in SMEs? International Journal of e-Collaboration 4 (4), 33–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molina-Castillo FJ, Lopez-Nicolas C and Soto-Acosta P (2012) Interaction effects of media and message on perceived complexity, risk and trust of innovative products. European Management Journal 30 (6), 30–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nahapiet J and Ghoshal S (1998) Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage. Academy of Management Review 23 (2), 242–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka I (1994) A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. OrganizationScience 5 (1), 14–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka I and Takeuchi H (1995) The Knowledge-Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan D and Dooley L (2010) Collaborative innovation for the management of information technology resources. International Journal of Human Capital and Information Technology Professionals 1 (1), 16–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-López S and Alegre J (2012) Information technology competency, knowledge processes and firm performance. Industrial Management & Data Systems 112 (4), 644–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peteraf MA (1993) The cornerstones of competitive advantage: a resource-based view. Strategic Management Journal 14: 179–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter ME (1985) Competitive Advantage. Free Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ravichandran T and Lertwongsatien C (2005) Effect of information systems resources and capabilities on firm performance: a resource-based perspective. Journal of Management Information Systems 21 (4), 237–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rumelt RP, Schendel D and Teece DJ (1991) Strategic management and economics. Strategic Management Journal 12 (S2), 5–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • San Martín S, López-Catalán B and Ramón-Jerónimo MA (2012) Factors determining firms’ perceived performance of mobile commerce. Industrial Management & Data Systems 112 (6), 946–963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sethi V and King W (1994) Development of measures to assess the extent to which an information technology application provides competitive advantage. Management Science 40 (12), 1601–1627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soto-Acosta P and Meroño-Cerdan A (2006) An analysis and comparison of web development between local governments and SMEs in Spain. International Journal of Electronic Business 4 (2), 191–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soto-Acosta P, Martínez-Conesa I and Colomo-Palacios R (2010) An empirical analysis of the relationship between IT training sources and IT value. Information Systems Management 27 (3), 274–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soto-Acosta P, Ramayah T and Popa S (2013) Explaining intention to use an enterprise resource planning system: a replication and extension. Tehnički vjesnik 20 (3), 397–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teece DJ, Pisano G and Shuen A (1997) Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal 18 (7), 509–533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Templeton GF, Lewis BR and Snyder CA (2002) Development of a measure for the organizational learning construct. Journal of Management Information Systems 19 (2), 175–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thong JYL (1999) An integrated model of information systems adoption in small businesses. Journal of Management Information Systems 15 (4), 187–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiwana A (2003) The Knowledge Management Toolkit: Orchestrating it, Strategy and Knowledge Platform. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tornatzky LG and Fleischer M (1990) The Process of Technological Innovation. Lexington Books, Lexington, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsui AS, Pearce JL and Porter LW (1997) Alternative approaches to the employee-organization relationship: does investment in employees pay off? Academy of Management Journal 40 (5), 1089–1121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valkokari K, Paasi J and Rantala T (2012) Managing knowledge within networked innovation. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 10 (1), 27–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y and Ahmed P (2009) The moderating effect of the business strategic orientation on e-commerce adoption: evidence from U.K. family run SMEs. Journal of Strategic Information System 18 (1), 16–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang YM, Wang YS and Yang YF (2010) Understanding the determinants of RFID adoption in the manufacturing industry. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 77 (5), 803–815.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu S, Zhu K and Gibbs J (2004) Global technology, local adoption: a cross-country investigation of Internet adoption by companies in the United States and China. Electronic Markets 14 (1), 13–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youndt MA, Snell SA, Dean JW and Lepak DP (1996) Human resource management, manufacturing strategy and firm performance. Academy of Management Journal 39 (4), 836–866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu K and Kraemer K (2005) Post-adoption variations in usage and value of e-business by organizations: cross-country evidence from the retail industry. Information Systems Research 16 (1), 61–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu K, Kraemer KL and Xu S (2003) Electronic business adoption by European firms: a cross-country assessment of the facilitators and inhibitors. European Journal of Information Systems 12 (4), 251–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu K, Kraemer KL and Xu S (2006) The process of innovation assimilation by firms in different countries: a technology diffusion perspective on e-business. Management Science 52 (10), 1557–1576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu K, Kraemer KL, Xu S and Dedrick J (2004) Information technology payoff in e-business environments: an international perspective on value creation of e-business in the financial services industry. Journal of Management Information Systems 21 (1), 17–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Y, Li Y, Wang W and Chen J (2010) What leads to post-implementation success of ERP? An empirical study of the Chinese retail industry. International Journal of Information Management 30 (3), 265–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and the guest editors for their comments and suggestions, which allowed us to furthering the work. We also thank Fundación CajaMurcia for the financial support provided.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Murcia, Spain

    Pedro Soto-Acosta & Simona Popa

  2. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Colomo-Palacios

Authors
  1. Pedro Soto-Acosta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ricardo Colomo-Palacios
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Simona Popa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Appendix

Appendix

Table A1

Table A1 Measures
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Soto-Acosta, P., Colomo-Palacios, R. & Popa, S. Web knowledge sharing and its effect on innovation: an empirical investigation in SMEs. Knowl Manage Res Pract 12, 103–113 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2013.31

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2013.31

Keywords

Search

Navigation