Management and Development Process

The factors of the effect of knowledge management activities on innovation
can be categorized into two groups: organizational-human factors including
knowledge-centered organizational culture, knowledge-oriented leadership and
knowledge-based human resources management; and information technology
factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the moderating role of
human- organizational and information technology factors in the impact of
knowledge management activities on innovation. This study was an applied
survey which used a questionnaire to gather data. The sample of this study
consisted of knowledge-based companies of Mashhad, located in the Science
and Technology Park and Incubator of Ferdowsi University. Out of 125 active
knowledge-based companies, 89 were selected through random sampling. To
test the hypotheses, multiple regression method was used. The results indicate
that although knowledge management activities influence innovation positively,
when moderating variables such as human-organizational factors are available
to overcome human barriers of innovation and knowledge management, and
when technological factors are present to empower knowledge management
and innovation, the organization can reach some higher levels of innovation.