Research On The Mechanism Of Knowledge Management Capability Driving Business Model Innovation In Innovative Enterprises

With the rapid development of the new technologies and information economy,such as big data,artificial intelligence,cloud technology and internet of things,current business environment has undergone tremendous changes.Although enterprises can obtain many development opportunities unique to the current era,they are facing more and more unexpected survival pressure,fierce industry competition and disruptive challenges.In this background,enterprises cannot rely on traditional technological innovation alone but business model innovation if they want to avoid obsolescence and achieve sustainable development.Business model innovation,which is a new type of innovation beyond product innovation,has become an important source for enterprises to maintain competitive advantages and core competitiveness.Business model innovation not only require to exploit existing knowledge to provide a basis,but also need to absorb new knowledge to stimulate ideas.As such,excellent knowledge management capability plays a crucial role in the smooth implementation of business model innovation.However,the research on the internal relationship between knowledge management capability and business model innovation is still scarce.Therefore,this paper aims to explore the internal mechanism of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation based on innovative enterprises,so as to provide evidence to clarify their specific relationship.Through literature review and speculative analysis,this paper constructs an overall research framework which mainly focuses on four aspects to carry out the following researches in detail:(1)Research on the direct effect of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation.This part analyzes a sample of 115 innovative enterprises by applying hierarchical regression analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis(fs QCA)to explore the direct influence and specific configuration of each component of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation.(2)Research on the chain path of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation.This part aims at 115 innovative enterprises via applying linear regression analysis and mediating effect test to explore the intrinsic effect of internal knowledge management capability on business model innovation via the mediation of external knowledge management capability.(3)Research on the performance formation path of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation.This part analyzes a survey data of 295 innovative enterprises by applying partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLS-SEM)and fs QCA to explore the specific relationship between knowledge management capability,business model innovation and enterprise performance.(4)Research on the growth evolution mechanism of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation.This part conducts a longitudinal case analysis of Haier’s past 30 years development history to explore the dynamic evolution mechanism among knowledge management capability,business model innovation and enterprise growth.The research conclusions of this paper include the following four aspects:(1)Through carrying out the research on the direct effect of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation,the results of hierarchical regression analysis indicate that the five elements of knowledge management capability,namely organizational structure,human capital,information technology,collaboration breadth and collaboration depth,all positively affect business model innovation.However,their impact on different types of business model innovation is heterogeneous,i.e.,they can promote novelty-centered business model innovation,but inhibit efficiency-centered business model innovation.Furthermore,fs QCA results show that there is one driving model to achieve high business model innovation,two driving models to achieve high novelty-centered business model innovation and two driving models to achieve high efficiency-centered business model innovation from the perspective of knowledge management capability.(2)Through carrying out the research on the chain path of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation,it is proved that that organizational structure positively affects human capital,human capital positively affects information technology,information technology positively affects cooperation breadth,collaboration breadth positively affects collaboration depth,and collaboration depth positively affects business model innovation.Additionally,it is also proved that human capital,information technology,collaboration breadth and collaboration depth play a significant chain-mediating role in relationship between organizational structure and business model innovation.(3)Through carrying out the research on the performance formation path of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation,PLS-SEM results indicate that the positive relationship between internal knowledge management capability and firm performance is not significant,instead it is fully mediated by efficiency-centered and novelty-centered business model innovations;on the contrary,external knowledge management capability can directly and positively affect firm performance,while the relationship is also partially mediated by efficiency-centered and novelty-centered business model innovations.Furthermore,fs QCA results of achieving high-level and low-level firm performance again prove that efficiency-centered and novelty-centered business model innovations have significant mediating effects on the relationship between knowledge management capability and enterprise performance.(4)Through carrying out the research on the growth evolution mechanism of knowledge management capability driving business model innovation,we firstly summarize the dynamic evolution process of knowledge management capability,business model innovation and enterprise growth of Hair in the past 30 years,then extract the key components of these variables,and finally construct a comprehensive model.This paper enriches and improves knowledge management theory,business model innovation theory,performance management theory and enterprise growth theory.It also provides lots of valuable enlightenments for enterprises to cultivate knowledge management capability,implement business model innovation,improve performance and promote sustainable growth.