Towards a kernel theory of external knowledge integration for high-tech firms: Exploring a failed theory test

Kraaijenbrink, Jeroen and Wijnhoven, Fons and Groen, Aard (2007) Towards a kernel theory of external knowledge integration for high-tech firms: Exploring a failed theory test. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 74 (8). pp. 1215-1233. ISSN 0040-1625

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Abstract:	Designing information systems (ISs) requires a thorough understanding of the organizational knowledge processes in which these systems are used. Although much is known about internal organizational knowledge processes, the understanding of external knowledge processes is less developed. Hence, this paper reflects an attempt to operationalize and test a model of the process of external knowledge integration (EKI), consisting of an identification, acquisition, and utilization stage. We utilize high-technology based firms from a variety of high-tech categories including nanotechnology based firms since these firms have critical knowledge integration needs. The results of an international survey, with responses of 317 high-tech companies, suggest that not these three EKI-stages, but four organizational effectiveness functions (goal attainment, pattern maintenance, adaptation, and integration) account for most variation in responses. These findings seem to imply that ISs that are to support the EKI-process should be designed according to organizational effectiveness functions rather than to EKI-stages. It is proposed that each organizational effectiveness function imposes different requirements on ISs because users interact differently with IS in each function
Item Type:	Article
Copyright:	© 2007 Elsevier
Faculty:	Management and Governance (SMG)
Research Chair:	Design & Implementation of Information Systems (ISCM)
Research Group:	Knowledge intensive entrepreneurship, strategic market oriented and International management (NIKOS) Industrial Engineering & Business Information Systems (IEBIS)
Link to this item:	http://purl.utwente.nl/publications/76638
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2006.12.003
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