Knowledge management practices and innovation: A deliberate innovation management model for SMEs

Haibo Zhou, Lorraine M. Uhlaner, Martijn Jungst

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We propose and test a deliberate innovation management model for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reconciling the “cognition-action” logic underlying the knowledge management and innovation literature and the “intention-action” logic underlying Mintzberg and Waters’s deliberate strategy perspective. Consistent with a proposed “cognition-intention-action” logic, the empirical results from a sample of 633 Dutch SMEs support our predictions. SMEs that deliberately scan external information (via external knowledge acquisition practices) and distribute, interpret, and create internal knowledge (via internal knowledge-sharing practices) are more likely to enhance their innovation orientation and in turn, their innovation performance. Our study advances current understanding of innovation management, including the role of both external and internal knowledge management (KM) practices and also the value of considering innovation orientation in the overall innovation process. Our findings also offer some practical implications for SMEs to enhance their innovation ability.

Original languageEnglish
Article number61(4)
Pages (from-to)2126-2159
Number of pages34
JournalJournal of Small Business Management
Volume61
Issue number4
Early online date2 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Knowledge management
  • deliberate strategy
  • innovation management
  • innovation orientation
  • innovation performance
  • quantitative

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Business,Management and Accounting
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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