Analysis of the effects generated by knowledge management on the skills to innovate: An empirical study in software companies

Abstract

Knowledge is an important resource that can drive innovation in organizations. This study seeks to characterize the relationships that exist between the dimensions of knowledge management and the competencies to innovate. For this, an explanatory model is developed to evaluate the global effect that an adequate management of the acquisition, exchange, storage, application, and creation of knowledge on innovation. A data sample is constructed from a survey applied to 150 software development companies in the city of Medellín (Colombia) and models were estimated through the methodology of structural equations. The findings allow us to affirm that knowledge management has a positive influence on innovations. In addition, knowledge management is more strongly explained by the creation, acquisition and application of knowledge.