The Role of Knowledge-Based Resources in Building Organizational Flexibility

Anna Lemańska-Majdzik, Małgorzata Okręglicka

Abstract


Theoretical background: Contemporary conditions for managing organizations are particularly difficult due to the variety of changes taking place in the environment, which is why they require the search for behaviors appropriately adapted to existing market conditions. The resources held by companies may not be sufficient in highly competitive markets. At this point, there is a need to look for adaptive behaviors that can be expressed through the imperative of organizational flexibility. The dynamic capabilities of enterprises are reflected in the dimensions of organizational flexibility, which have various conditions related to, among others, company resources. Organizational flexibility results from, among other things, opportunities, abilities, skills and practices that allow us to anticipate future market changes. These capabilities, in turn, depend on organizational resources, including knowledge-based resources that enable organizations to act strategically and tactically. The appropriate level of knowledge-based resources allows you to achieve the appropriate level of flexibility necessary in a difficult and turbulent environment. It is therefore important to present recommendations that will help achieve this state of affairs on the market.

Purpose of the article: The purpose of the paper is to identification the level of knowledge-based resources in enterprises and their impact on the organizational flexibility.

Research methods: The analysis and conclusions are based on the results of research on a group of Polish enterprises. The study used an original survey questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. In order to verify the validity of the research and the constructed research tool, its reliability was tested using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The level of variables was identified using descriptive statistics, while the linear relationship between variables was examined using Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient.

Main findings: The research results indicated that the level of knowledge-based resources positively correlates with the level of organizational flexibility of Polish enterprises, and there is a positive, statistically significant relationship between the level of knowledge-based resources and individual dimensions of flexibility, including operational, financial, structural, and technological flexibility. The positive relationship between the variables also indicates the synergy effect, which allows for a higher level of organizational flexibility overall than in individual dimensions of the enterprise. The conclusions from the analysis made it possible to designate recommendations in the area of activities for building organizational flexibility, which is currently a necessary condition for the functioning of enterprises.


Keywords


knowledge-based resources; organizational flexibility; Polish enterprises

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abubakar, A.M., Elrehail, H., Alatailat, M.A., & Elçi, A. (2019). Knowledge management, decision-making style and organizational performance. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 4(2), 104–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2017.07.003

Barney, J. (2000). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Advances in Strategic Management, 17, 203–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0742-3322(00)17018-4

Bhupendra, K.V., & Sangle, S. (2022). Structural process model of absorptive capacity for stakeholder’s integration in decision-making: dynamic capability perspective. Society and Business Review, 17(3), 421–440. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-05-2021-0067

Buko, J. (2011). Znaczenie i problemy dystrybucyjne mikrofinansowania. Przedsiębiorczość i Zarządzanie, 12(6), 278–287.

Chatterjee, S., Chaudhuri, R., Vrontis, D., & Thrassou, A. (2023). Impact of organizational dynamic capability on international expansion and the moderating role of environmental dynamism. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 8(1), 100334. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoa-10-2021-3003

Chmielewska-Muciek, D. (2018). Knowledge management process in the light of the literature of the subject. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska, sectio H – Oeconomia, 52(1), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.17951/h.2018.52.1.29

Dex, S. (2003). Flexible (or Family Friendly) Work Arrangements in the UK. Are They a Good Thing? Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Institute of Education, London University. University of Cambridge.

Gao, T., Chai, Y., & Liu, Y. (2018). A review of knowledge management about theoretical conception and designing approaches. International Journal of Crowd Science, 2(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCS-08-2017-0023

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2016). IBM SPSS Statistics 23 Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. Routledge.

Grajewski, P. (2012). Procesowe zarządzanie organizacją. PWE.

Hitt, M.A., Keats, B.W., & De Marie, S.M. (1998).Navigating in the new competitive landscape: Building strategic flexibility and competitive advantage in the 21st century. Academy of Management Executive, 12(4), 22–42.

Karman, A. (2020). Flexibility, coping capacity and resilience of organizations: Between synergy and support. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 3(5), 883–907. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-10-2019-0305

Kaya, N., & Patton, J. (2011). The effects of knowledge-based resources, market orientation and learning orientation on innovation performance: An empirical study of Turkish firms. Journal of International Development, 23, 204–219. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1662

Khin, S., Ahmad, N.H., & Ramayah, T. (2012). The Integrated effect of strategic orientations on product innovativeness: Moderating role of strategic flexibility. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 65, 743–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.11.193

Koste, L.L., & Malhotra, M.K. (1999).A theoretical framework for analyzing the dimensions of manufacturing flexibility. Journal of Operations Management, 18(1), 75–93.

Lam, L., Nguyen, P., Le N., & Tran, K. (2021). The relation among organizational culture, knowledge management, and innovation capability: Its implication for open innovation. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc7010066

Lyu, C., Zhang, F., Ji, J., Teo, T.S.H, Wang, T., & Liu, Z. (2022). Competitive intensity and new product development outcomes: The roles of knowledge integration and organizational unlearning. Journal of Business Research, 139(C) 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.049

Miller, D., & Shamsie, J. (1996). The resource-based view of the firm in two environments: The Hollywood film studios from 1936–1965. The Academy of Management Journal, 39(3), 519–543. https://doi.org/10.2307/256654

Miszczak, T., & Stawasz, E. (2018). The impact of external financing on the flexibility and performance outcomes of micro and small enterprises. In A. Nalepka & A. Ujwary-Gil (Eds.), Business and Non-profit Organizations Facing Increased Competition and Growing Customers’ Demands (pp. 277–291). WSB.

Moroz, M. (2013). Kształtowanie elastyczności przedsiębiorstw internetowych. Wyd. UE.

Ouriques, R., Wnuk, K., Gorschek, T., & Berntsson Svensson, R. (2019). The role of knowledge-based resources in Agile Software Development contexts. Journal of Systems and Software, 197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2022.111572

Peng, X.B., Liu, Y.L., & Lin, Y. (2015). The impact of environment uncertainty and effectual flexibility on entrepreneurial resource combination: The moderating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 9(4), 559–575. https://doi.org/10.3868/s070-004-015-0022-9

Santos-Vijande, M.L., López-Sánchez, J.Á., & Trespalacios, J.A. (2012). How organizational learning affects a firm’s flexibility, competitive strategy and performance. Journal of Business Research, 65(8), 1079–1089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.09.002

Schober, P., Boer, C., & Schwarte, L.A. (2018). Correlation coefficients: Appropriate use and interpretation. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 126(5), 1763–1768.

Schoemaker, P.J.H., Heaton, S., & Teece, D. (2018). Innovation, dynamic capabilities, and leadership. California Management Review, 61(1), 15–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125618790246

Ścianowska, A. (2011). Metoda wewnętrznych ratingów jako czynnik umożliwiający określenie ceny kredytu adekwatnej do ryzyka działania firm rodzinnych. Przedsiębiorczość i Zarządzanie, 12(6), 323–336.

Sheng, S., Zhou, K.Z., & Li, J.J. (2011). The effects of business and political ties on firm performance: Evidence from China. Journal of Marketing, 75(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1509/jm.75

Sushil, A. (2001). Enterprise flexibility. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 2(4), 53–58.

Taber, K.S. (2018). The use of Cronbach’s alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48, 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2

Teece, D.J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533.

Tsai, Y.-Y., & Jhang, J.-R. (2010). A study of the relationship between knowledge-based resources, organizational learning and dynamic capabilities – the case of solar energy and biotechnology firms in Taiwan. In Proceedings for the Northeast Region Decision Sciences Institute (NEDSI) (pp. 99–104).

Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28(2), 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003

Więcek-Janka, E. (2015). Jesteśmy innowacyjni! Ale czy na pewno wszyscy? Relacje – Magazyn Firm Rodzinnych, 2(10), 10–11.

Wiklund, J., & Shepherd, D. (2003). Knowledge-based resources, entrepreneurial orientation, and the performance of small and medium sized business. Strategic Management Journal, 24(13), 1307–1314. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.360

Wright, P.M., & Snell, S.A. (1998). Toward a unifying framework for exploring fit and flexibility in strategic human resource management. Academy of Management Review, 23(4), 756–772.https://doi.org/10.2307/259061

Wu, L.Y. (2010). Applicability of the resource-based and dynamic-capability views under environmental volatility. Journal of Business Research, 63(1), 27–31.

Yeniaras, V., Di Benedetto, A., & Dayan, M. (2021). Effects of relational ties paradox on financial and non-financial consequences of servitization: Roles of organizational flexibility and improvisation. Industrial Marketing Management, 99, 54–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2021.09.006

Zollo, M., & Winter, S.G. (2002). Deliberate learning and the evolution of dynamic capabilities. Organizational Science, 13(3), 339–351. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.13.3.339.2780

Zvirblis, A., & Buracas, A. (2012). Backgrounds of aggregated assessment of SMEs competitive advantage determinants. TEM Journal – Technology, Education, Management, Informatics, 1(4), 213–220.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/h.2024.58.2.65-78
Date of publication: 2024-07-05 15:44:51
Date of submission: 2023-10-17 10:06:29


Statistics


Total abstract view - 230
Downloads (from 2020-06-17) - PDF - 0

Indicators



Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Anna Lemańska-Majdzik, Małgorzata Okręglicka

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.