Examining the Role of Knowledge Sharing in Promoting Innovation in the Service Sector of Pakistan

Abstract

The present research paper aims to conduct an in-depth investigation to determine how knowledge sharing influences experimental innovation, exploitative innovation, and also their concurrent form, i.e. ambidextrous innovation. To achieve this aim successfully, the principles of causal research positivist paradigm is followed. Data is gathered from 192 lower and middle managers in different private organizations in the service sector of Pakistan and is analyzed through the techniques of inferential statistics, such as, regression, correlation and factor analysis. The main findings of the present study reveal that there is a significant positive influence of knowledge gathering on exploitative, experimental and ambidextrous innovation. While, there is a significant positive impact of knowledge contribution from inside the department on the ambidextrous and exploitative innovation. In contrast, there is no statistically significant impact of knowledge contribution from outside the department on any of the three strategies of innovation. The study hopes to draw the attention of the academicians and practitioners towards the significant role of knowledge sharing on the dimensions of innovation.

Keywords: knowledge, knowledge sharing, knowledge creation, exploitative innovation, experimental innovation, ambidexterity innovation