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. 2023 Oct 3;18(10):e0292283.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292283. eCollection 2023.

Knowledge heterogeneity and corporate innovation performance: The mediating influence of task conflict and relationship conflict

Rui Gan  1 , Xiaoheng Chen  2 , Zhiyan Wang  3 , Xing Zhang  4   5
Affiliations

Knowledge heterogeneity and corporate innovation performance: The mediating influence of task conflict and relationship conflict

Rui Gan et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Innovation has emerged as a crucial factor in the sustenance and growth of enterprises. Nonetheless, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) confront numerous challenges in their pursuit of innovation, owing to constraints in capital, expertise, and knowledge resources. Drawing on the resource-based theory and the input-process-output (IPO) model, this study devises a mechanism model to assess the impact of knowledge heterogeneity and innovation performance on small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Guizhou Province, China. The objective is to offer recommendations for the advancement and innovation of enterprises with relative knowledge resource deficiencies. A total of 324 valid questionnaires were gathered, and the acquired data were analyzed employing SPSS 23.0 and Amos 26.0. The findings reveal that knowledge heterogeneity exerts a significantly positive influence on innovation performance. Task conflict and relationship conflict serve as partial mediators in the effects of knowledge heterogeneity on innovation performance. By capitalizing on the heterogeneity of internal and external knowledge, enterprises can effectively enhance their innovation outcomes. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that knowledge sharing possesses a moderating effect on the impact of knowledge heterogeneity on task conflict, relationship conflict, and innovation performance. In a conducive sharing environment, the ultimate effect of knowledge heterogeneity on innovation is subject to alteration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. IPO model by West, Hirst, Richter & Shipton (2007).
Fig 2
Fig 2. Research model.
Fig 3
Fig 3. The moderating effect of knowledge sharing on knowledge heterogeneity and task conflict.
Fig 4
Fig 4. The moderating effect of knowledge sharing on knowledge heterogeneity and relationship conflict.
Fig 5
Fig 5. The moderating effect of knowledge sharing on knowledge heterogeneity and performance innovation.
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