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Combining knowledge stock and knowledge flow to generate superior incremental innovation performance - Evidence from Swiss manufacturing

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  • Christian Rupietta

    (University of Wuppertal)

  • Uschi Backes-Gellner

    (University of Zurich)

Abstract

Firms generate new knowledge that leads to innovations by recombining existing knowledge sources. A successful recombination depends on the availability of a knowledge stock (human capital pool) and the flow of knowledge within the firm (induced by HRM systems). While human resource theory expects complementarities between human capital pools and HRM systems, it does not explicitly address how knowledge exchange may be guaranteed or fostered. Moreover, empirical approaches neglect the complexity of such complementarities. In this study we develop a model that integrates a firm's knowledge stock and flow into a knowledge creation (KC) system comprising four ideal types. This system explains the occurrence of superior incremental innovation performance. We empirically analyze the KC system by applying fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and identify configurations concurring with our ideal types. The results show that the use of human capital and HRM practices depends on firm size and industry dynamism.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Rupietta & Uschi Backes-Gellner, 2013. "Combining knowledge stock and knowledge flow to generate superior incremental innovation performance - Evidence from Swiss manufacturing," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0089, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW), revised Apr 2017.
    • Handle: RePEc:iso:educat:0089
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sun, Xiuli & Li, Haizheng & Ghosal, Vivek, 2020. "Firm-level human capital and innovation: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    3. Leo Aldianto & Grisna Anggadwita & Anggraeni Permatasari & Isti Raafaldini Mirzanti & Ian O. Williamson, 2021. "Toward a Business Resilience Framework for Startups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Adamu Jibir & Musa Abdu, 2021. "Human Capital and Propensity to Protect Intellectual Properties as Innovation Output: the Case of Nigerian Manufacturing and Service Firms," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 12(2), pages 595-619, June.
    5. Brea, Edgar & Ford, Jerad A., 2023. "No silver bullet: Cognitive technology does not lead to novelty in all firms," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    6. Zheng, Lu & Ulrich, Klaus & Sendra-García, Javier, 2021. "Qualitative comparative analysis: Configurational paths to innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 83-93.
    7. Yaya Sun & Tao Wang & Xin Gu, 2019. "A Sustainable Development Perspective on Cooperative Culture, Knowledge Flow, and Innovation Network Governance Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Malik, Ashish & Froese, Fabian Jintae & Sharma, Piyush, 2020. "Role of HRM in knowledge integration: Towards a conceptual framework," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 524-535.
    9. Bingqiang Li & Jing Yu & Lei Huang & Jinzhi Li & Changhan Luo, 2021. "Coupling Development of Manufacturing Promotion and Innovation in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, October.
    10. Bingqiang Li & Lei Huang, 2019. "The Effect of Incremental Innovation and Disruptive Innovation on the Sustainable Development of Manufacturing in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440198, February.
    11. Orly Carvache-Franco & Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Wilmer Carvache-Franco & Miguel A. Bustamante-Ubilla, 2022. "The Relationship between Human-Capital Variables and Innovative Performance: Evidence from Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-13, March.
    12. Benny Lianto, 2023. "Identifying Key Assessment Factors for a Company’s Innovation Capability Based on Intellectual Capital: An Application of the Fuzzy Delphi Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-21, March.
    13. Duan, Yunlong & Yang, Meng & Huang, Lei & Chin, Tachia & Fiano, Fabio & de Nuccio, Elbano & Zhou, Li, 2022. "Unveiling the impacts of explicit vs. tacit knowledge hiding on innovation quality: The moderating role of knowledge flow within a firm," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1489-1500.
    14. Shuman Zhang & Changhong Yuan & Yuying Wang, 2019. "The Impact of Industry–University–Research Alliance Portfolio Diversity on Firm Innovation: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, April.
    15. Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Wilkie, Callum & Zhang, Min, 2021. "Innovating in “lagging” cities: a comparative exploration of the dynamics of innovation in Chinese cities," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120989, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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    Keywords

    Human resource management; Human capital; Innovation; Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA);
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