Do Knowledge Characteristics Matter?A Test of the Relationship Between Knowledge Characteristics and Performance

摘要

IntroductionrnOver the last few years, there has been an upsurge in interest among scholars on the importance of knowledge-based resources and their role in firms (e.g., see the special issue on Knowledge and the Firm of SMJ, 1996; Grant, 1996a). For instance, current interest in cross-functional capabilities like fast response (Stalk, 1988), new product development (Clark and Fujimoto, 1992), technical innovation, product innovation, all strategic or organizational innovation (Nonaka, 1994) reflects the strategic importance of knowledge in firms. As noted by Grant (1996b), "Knowledge has emerged as the most strategically-significant resource of the firm." "To put it somewhat more dramatically, there is evidence suggesting that the winners in tomorrow's market place will be the masters of knowledge management" (Bresman et al., 1999).